Lawmakers consider plan to regulate mercury

Mercury can measure a fever and make fluorescent light bulbs more efficient. But mercury exposure in a fetus can lead to babies unable to grasp a rattle or ask for a bottle.

A bill being considered by the Legislature would ban the sale of some mercury-containing products and make manufacturers responsible for the safe disposal of items containing the toxic element.

"The idea here is for the state of Washington to move ahead and promote less mercury in our environment," said Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County, and sponsor of Senate Bill 6533. "When it gets in the water and the food chain and into people, it can create all kinds of serious health effects."

Concern is growing over mercury circulating in the environment. There have been recent warnings about the consumption of bottom-feeding fish and tuna by women of childbearing age and children under 6. Mercury can cause brain damage in the fetus and problems with the digestive and nervous systems in children.

The state Department of Ecology recently kicked off a program to reduce the amount of persistent bioaccumulative toxins, poisons that are long-lasting in the environment and build up in organisms, causing serious health problems. The PBT program has been lauded by supporters as being the first of its kind nationally. Mercury was selected as the program's first target.

Environmentalists say the time is right to address the commercial sources of mercury pollution.

The Association of Washington Business is urging legislators to proceed with caution and would like to see mercury restrictions addressed through Ecology's PBT program.

Ten other states, including California and Oregon, have more-limited laws restricting mercury use and disposal. This legislation would be the most far reaching.

SB6533 would:

Require manufacturers of mercury-containing items to label the products with information saying the item contains the toxin and should not be tossed out with the trash. The manufacturers would have to pay for programs to collect products for recycling or hazardous-waste disposal.

Make it illegal for consumers to knowingly throw out mercury-containing items.

Make illegal the sales of mercury-containing novelty items such as games, toys, ornaments and jewelry, thermometers (with some exceptions), and thermostats. It also would ban the sales of motor vehicles manufactured in 2003 with mercury switches found in anti-lock brakes and lights.

Ban schools from using or buying mercury-containing items.

Require Ecology to work with hospitals, small businesses and others to reduce the use of mercury and prevent the toxin from being disposed of improperly.

There are other sources of mercury, including industries, particularly coal-fired power plants. The element is also released from sources such as hot springs and active volcanoes.

But household items are believed to be significant contributors to the pollution problem. Breaking this law would cost a violator up to $1,000 on the first offense and a maximum of $5,000 for repeat offenses.

A hearing on the legislation is scheduled in Olympia for 8 a.m. Friday with the Senate Environment, Energy and Water Committee.

P-I reporter Lisa Stiffler can be reached at 206-448-8042 or lisastiffler@seattlepi.com

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