|
Irish Doctors Environmental Association [IDEA]
[Home]
[Patrons]
[Committee members]
[History]
[Constitution]
[Position Papers]
[Chemicals]
[Nuclear]
|
|
IDEA Press Release, Wednesday 10 January 2007
Small-scale mercury survey highlights concerns of
"child brain drain"
The results of a small-scale study in 21 European countries, of which Ireland is included, published today show that 95% of women of childbearing age have detectable levels of mercury in their bodies, which was traced in their hair. This is worrying because several scientific reports have shown conclusively that low-level exposure to mercury in the womb could cause brain damage in children. (1)
The "Stay Healthy, Stop Mercury" campaign, organised in Ireland by The Irish Doctors Environmental Association (IDEA) is responsible for the mercury hair survey and report, aims to raise awareness of a potential "child brain drain" taking place in Europe, Ireland and around the world as a result of environmental mercury pollution. The Irish Doctors Environmental Association is calling on the Irish government to show leadership in efforts to control environmental mercury pollution by advocating for a Irish and global ban on mercury. (3)
In a report to be launched today in Brussels, Dutch paediatrician Gavin ten Tusscher says: "Mercury has long been recognised as a major source of toxicity in children causing reduced cognitive functioning, including reduced I.Q. However, we are now seeing that even 'low' exposure levels can cause damage to the developing brain of the foetus and infant. These are mercury levels that are not known to cause acute poisoning or ill health in adults." (2)
While the Irish result at .35 is well under the limit of 10 set by the World Health Organisation, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) argues for a level under 1, which means mercury pollution is a concern we should have in Ireland. Close examination of the sample results showed that women who regularly eat various kinds of fish tended to have higher levels of mercury in their hair. There were nevertheless limitations to the study due to the size of the survey and self-identification of the volunteers. Further research is needed to establish this relationship, and especially to investigate the higher mercury levels among Spanish women involved in the survey.
Michael Mc Keon of IDEA believes that all health care settings should now work swiftly on the elimination of mercury, especially in medical devices. "We would like to see Ireland to prohibit mercury in measuring devices including those used in healthcare such as blood pressure devices, and thermometers, granting exceptions only if there is evidence that no safe and accurate alternatives are available for clinical use," he says.
Michael also emphasises the need to restate and inform women on how to protect themselves and their children in addition to a ban on mercury. "Even if we stopped all mercury production and spills and emissions today, our global food supply would still be contaminated for years to come. Women need to have information now," he says. The campaign does not want pregnant women and other people to stop eating fish and seafood because they are both important sources of nutrients. "We are simply saying that it's better to eat smaller fish that are low in the food chain and therefore less contaminated," Michael concludes.
Notes
- The findings are published in a report entitled "Halting the child brain drain: Why we need to tackle global mercury contamination". The report also describes the effects such exposure can have on her unborn child if she is pregnant and on children, and what should be done to reduce exposure to mercury. It will be available online at www.env-health.org from 12.30 on Wednesday, 10 January 2007.
- Gavin ten Tusscher, M.D., Ph.D., paediatrician, Department of Paediatrics and Neonatology, Westfries Gasthuis, Hoorn, the Netherlands.
- "Stay Healthy, Stop Mercury" campaign brings together Irish Doctors Environmental Association (IDEA)- Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Health Care Without Harm Europe (HCWH) to mobilise the health community in Ireland and Europe for a global ban on mercury. The activities are focused on raising awareness of the risks to health, especially for babies and pregnant women, and on working with women and health care professionals on how they can protect themselves and the environment from mercury exposure.
Origin country Number of participant Mean value Armenia 11 0.13 Poland 24 0.25 Argentina 8 0.16 Macedonia 19 0.16 Bulgaria 6 0.17 The Netherlands 8 0.22 Slovakia 9 0.26 Germany 17 0.29 Sweden 5 0.3 Belgium 36 0.65 Czech Republic 10 0.33 Ireland 18 0,35 India 10 0.37 Belarus 11 0.43 South Africa 3 0.53 UK 12 0.54 Cyprus 9 0.55 France 8 0.57 Croatia 10 0.66 Philippines 9 0.92 Spain 9 2.18
The Irish Doctors' Environmental Association (IDEA) is an Irish organisation established by health professionals seeking to promote the right to health and peaceful co-existence worldwide. The main objective of the IDEA is to foster and promote, through education, publications and seminars, a concept of health as a state of physical, psychological and social well-being, which acknowledges the potential impact of environmental conditions, violent conflict, and inequalities within and between nations on that well-being.
Michael Mc Keon
Irish Doctors Environmental Association
01-7008539
086-8494924