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03/22/2005

John Kerry on EPA Hiding Harvard Scientific Data on Health Effects of Mercury

Below is a statement from Senator John Kerry on a report in today’s Washington Post that the EPA specifically omitted the findings of a Harvard University study on the health effects of mercury from the public documents on the administration’s new mercury emissions rule:

“Why did the administration hide its own research on toxic mercury pollution when the health of women and children is on the line? How can you make the right decision when the facts are buried to help corporate special interest? This isn't an academic debate. Every year more than 600,000 infants are born with dangerously high levels of mercury in their blood. The National Academy of Sciences has warned us that mercury can lead to learning disabilities, seizures and cerebral palsy in children. There's growing evidence that mercury may contribute to autism. And now experts commissioned by the Bush administration are warning us about mercury leading to heart attacks. Why is the EPA suppressing the evidence that mercury pollution can be controlled better and faster?”

To read today’s Washington Post story, click on the link below: New EPA Mercury Rule Omits Conflicting Data

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