State posting mercury warning signsBy Tony Bartelme (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Monday, March 3, 2008
Hoping to raise awareness about mercury-tainted fish, health officials have begun posting roughly 400 warning signs at fishing holes and lakes across South Carolina where biologists have found high levels of mercury. Written in English and Spanish, the signs have pictures of fish tailored to each particular water body and include advice on how much fish is safe to eat and, in some cases, whether people should avoid eating a single bite. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin linked to nervous disorders, brain damage and other health problems. A series in The Post and Courier last year identified freshwater mercury hot spots in the state and revealed for the first time how people who frequently eat fish from these areas have unusually high levels of mercury in their bodies. The series prompted the state Department of Health and Environmental Control to take a new look at how it measures and regulates mercury. Installing the signs is one of the first steps in this effort. Read more in Tuesday's edition of The Post and Courier. |
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