Posted by Jonathan Adler:
U.S. Clears Way for Mercury Treaty:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2009_02_15-2009_02_21.shtml#1235227161
The United States has [1]dropped its opposition to an international
treaty limiting mercury emissions, prompting agreement by over 140
nations to negotiate such a treaty.
Formal negotiations will begin late this year, and U.N. officials
hope to conclude the talks by 2013. The White House issued a
statement saying a future treaty would use "a combination of
legally binding and voluntary commitments" to cut mercury emissions
from industrial processes as well as coal-fired power plants and
small-scale mining. . . .
A range of industrial activities, including the production of
chlorine and the burning of coal, release mercury, which then falls
to the earth and the sea in precipitation. The neurotoxin
accumulates in fish and marine mammals in the form of
methylmercury, which poses a threat to humans when consumed.
While the majority of mercury exposure in the United States stems
from non-domestic emissions, all 50 states have issued mercury
contamination advisories for fish in their waters. Marine mammals
eaten by native Arctic peoples, such as pilot and beluga whales,
have mercury concentrations that exceed recommended levels.
References
1.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/20/AR2009022003378.html?hpid=topnews
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