"A mercury fever thermometer contains about a gram of mercury," said Senator Collins. "One gram of mercury, per year, is enough to contaminate all the fish in a lake with a surface area of 20 acres."
While the potential for environmental damage is more likely, and more common than personal injury within the home, the danger still exists. There is enough mercury in a single thermometer, if handled improperly, to kill a human being, particularly the very young or the very old.
In addition to prohibiting the sale of new mercury fever thermometers, Senator Collins is seeking to establish a swap program for those already in use. Alternative thermometers that do not contain mercury are readily available
"Such bans are in place in isolated communities around the country - Freeport, Maine for instance - and in some states. But I believe a nationwide ban is the most efficient means of addressing this growing problem," the Senator said.
Senator Collins's efforts have been praised by leading environmental organizations, including Health Care Without Harm, the Mercury Policy Project, and The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). "This is an excellent first step toward eliminating mercury pollution from consumer products," said Michael Belliveau, toxics project director for NRCM. "We applaud Senator Collins for this important action to protect our children''s health from the scourge of mercury pollution."
A National Academy of Sciences report released last year attributed mercury exposure to birth defects and brain damage in up to 60,000 newborn children each year. Senator Collins plans to introduce this legislation within the next few weeks.
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