From: ---------------
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 4:02 PM
To: Schwetz, Bernard
Subject: Methylmercury Contamination of Fish, FDA Docket No. OOP-1411/CP
1



Bernard A. Schwetz
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857

Dear Bernard A. Schwetz,

Please help protect America's children from birth defects
caused by contaminated fish. Each year more than 60,000
children are born at risk for neurological problems
due to exposure to low-level methylmercury from seafood
which was consumed by their mothers, according to the
National Academy of Sciences. That is totally unacceptable.

Consumers know that fish can be important in a healthy
diet. However that is only valid if the fish does not
contain chemical hazards. It is necessary that you
take action now to tighten FDA's allowable exposure
level so it is consistent with the standard that the
EPA and National Academy of Sciences recommend. Then
action should be initiated to increase the agency's
monitoring and remove seafood from the market that
violates this new, tougher standard. I support the
petition by the Center for Science in the Public Interest
to take these steps. Please approve the petition and
give fish consumers the benefit of being free from
this poison! 

The FDA also should expand its advisory to pregnant
women, women who may become pregnant, and nursing mothers
to establish a safety net which would prevent the eating
all types of methylmercury-contaminated fish, including
tuna steaks. The FDA can publicize the risk best by
requiring clear warning labels on packages and in stores.
FDA's weak advice to date is simply insufficient to
protect a very vulnerable segment of our population.



Sincerely,


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