Mercury-containing devices banned in schools in Duluth, MN

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DULUTH FIRST CITY IN NORTH AMERICA TO BAN ALL MERCURY-CONTAINING MEDICALDEVICES, THERMOSTATS, MERCURY PRODUCTS IN SCHOOLSSeptember 23, Duluth, Minnesota - The Duluth City Council last nightunanimously passed a first-ever ban on the sale of mercury-containingmedical equipment, and banned the sale and purchase of mercurythermostats and mercury-containing products in K-12 schools. The newDuluth law is the most comprehensive ban on mercury products passed todate in North America.Mercury is a potent toxin to the nervous system that can affect thebrain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. One in 10 American women alreadycarry enough mercury in their blood to pose a threat of neurologicaldamage to the fetus if they got pregnant, according to the Centers forDisease Control."As the first city to ban the sale of mercury blood pressure andgastrointestinal devices, Duluth is at the forefront of the growingmovement to reduce mercury pollution and protect people and wildlifefrom harm," said Harvie, P.E., project director at Duluth-basedInstitute for a Sustainable Future and Mercury Co-coordinator for HealthCare Without Harm (HCWH), an international coalition working to reducepollution in health care."The Duluth law formalizes mercury elimination practices that have beenadopted at nationally recognized institutions such as the Mayo MedicalCenter and National Institutes of Health," Harvie said.HCWH has urged all major health care institutions to phase out themanufacture, distribution and sale of mercury-containing devices. Atleast 82% of chain pharmacies have stopped selling mercury feverthermometers as a result. Duluth was the first city in North America toban the sale of mercury thermometers in March 2000. Since then, ninestates and several major cities have banned the sale or restricted theuse of mercury thermometers. More than 1,000 hospitals and clinics,including those of Kaiser Permanente and the National Institutes ofHealth, have voluntarily agreed to phase out mercury products."Duluth is proud to continue its leadership role by passing thisordinance," said ordinance sponsor and Council President Donny Ness."Mercury pollution is a public health concern. This is one step towardprotecting the citizens of our community."For more information about the dangers of mercury, see www.noharm.org.For the full city ordinance, seehttp://www.ci.duluth.mn.us/city/council/resord02/02-040-o.pdf.Institute for a Sustainable Future32 E. 1st Street, Suite 206Duluth, MN55802218-525-7806fax 218-720-4890