No Excuses: Communities At Risk Without Mercury-Free Technology
Four mercury-based chlorine factories (the "Foul Four") continue to release thousands of pounds of mercury into our environment. Mercury-free processes have readily existed for three decades but the Foul Four have refused to modernize. In a new report from Oceana, the fate of these last four factories is evaluated. It is likely that the Foul Four will close within four to seven years unless they switch to mercury-free technology. Modernizing to mercury-free technology would not only eliminate a ton of mercury pollution from the Foul Four, but it would also save approximately 500 jobs at these facilities. Get the full report here
The scientific consensus worldwide is that mercury is dangerous to human health and that humans are exposed to it by consuming large predatory fish. Yet many fish eaters and their doctors are unaware of the damage that can occur from frequent consumption of high mercury fish. Click here for Oceana's statement.
Click here for more informaton on Diagnosis Mercury.
Victory! Costco agrees to post warnings!
After three years, in response to over 8,000 requests from customers, Costco has finally agreed to display the FDA advice about mercury and seafood in their stores. As one of the most popular wholesale grocers in the nation, Costco plays an important role in helping its customers make informed and healthy choices when it comes to seafood. By increasing access to this simple information, Costco is doing its part to warn its members about mercury and its devastating effects on human health. Read more about this important victory...
New Report: Super Markets
In 2006, Oceana published Vital Signs and found that about 12% of major grocery stores nationwide were posting the FDA advisory at the point of sale. Two years later, Super Markets documents this important industry trend and shows that the number of stores posting signs has nearly tripled. The report contains great news for western states such as Washington, Nevada and Oregon, but not so great news for other states such as Florida. Get the full story...
Executive Summary (pdf)
Press Release (doc)
Oceana's Interactive Grocery Store Map
- Click the image above to take our interactive map for a spin!
For the past year, we've been working with supermarkets all across the country to get the Food and Drug Administration's advice on mercury in fish posted at their seafood counters.
Now the time has come to reveal which supermarkets are stepping up to the plate (Green) and which aren't (Red).
Try our new Interactive Grocery Store Map to find your grocer and see if they are on the Green or Red List!
Mercury on the Hiwassee
Oceana's newest report focuses on mercury pollution from Olin Corporation's chlor-alkali plant in Charleston, Tennessee. in the spring of 2007, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issued a new mercury warning concerning fish caught on the Hiwassee River, near Olin's plant, because of high mercury levels. This report documents mercury levels in fish and sediment in the Hiwassee and shows Olin's facility to be the primary source of mercury on the river. Get the full report here.
Hold the Mercury
Oceana has published the results of 94 fish samples collected by Oceana staff and volunteers from across the country. The results are astonishing. Furthermore, it shows that fish mongers are mostly unfamiliar with what the FDA advises about mercury in fish, stressing the importance of posting signs in grocery stores even more.
Get the full report here
Cleaning Up
Oceana's report adds up the costs of using mercury in chlorine production and notes the benefits of mercury-free technology. Since 1974, at least 115 chlorine factories have decided to switch, or are currently switching, to mercury-free technology around the world. The new technology is more energy efficient and can be used to increase chlorine production. It may seem expensive to convert, but the technology can pay for itself in less than five years. Get the full report.
