SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 968

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: NOVEMBER 8, 1996

      The Senate Health Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 968.

      The purpose of this bill is to provide greater protection from the health hazards of mercury contamination by providing residents of this State who are at greatest risk of consuming fish that have elevated levels of mercury, with necessary information about these fish.

      The Department of Health and Senior Services, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, is required to prepare a consumer's mercury alert notice for posting in all patient areas of professional medical offices that provide gynecological, obstetrical or pediatric care and in all patient or client areas of maternal and child health and nutrition programs. The notice shall explain the danger of eating mercury contaminated fish to women who expect to become pregnant, women who are pregnant or breast feeding their children, and young children. The notice shall summarize the State's and the federal government's most current health advisories concerning fish consumption.

      The bill also requires the Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Department of Health and Senior Services, to prepare a consumer's guide to mercury health advisories for the consumption of fresh water fish. The guide shall be distributed to all applicants for a State fishing license at the time the license is issued.

      Finally, the bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Department of Health and Senior Services, to establish and maintain a telephone service to provide information to residents of the State about mercury health advisories for the consumption of fresh water fish. This telephone number shall be listed on the notices posted in medical offices, maternal and child health and nutrition programs, on the guide prepared by the Department of Environmental Protection, and on all fishing licenses issued after the effective date of the bill.

      While mercury is widespread in the environment, the most likely exposure for humans is by eating mercury contaminated fish. The amount of mercury in fish depends upon the species of fish, where the fish has lived and its size. Even though most fish are safe to eat, people who eat large amounts of fish may accumulate significant amounts of mercury over time.

      This accumulation of mercury is a particular problem for women in the months just prior to and during pregnancy because a developing fetus is especially susceptible to the harmful effects of mercury. Mercury affects fetal development by preventing the brain and nervous system from developing normally. Affected children show lowered intelligence, impaired hearing and poor coordination, and their verbal and motor skills may be delayed.