§ 23-72-1. Legislative findings.
The general assembly finds and declares:
(1) Mercury from trash incinerators, coal fired power plants, municipal solid waste, hazardous
waste sites, and other human made sources has been identified in virtually every body
of water in New England, as well as the oceans.
(2) Nearly all fish contain at least trace amounts of methyl mercury, which is formed
by the action of bacteria on elemental mercury.
(3) Many types of freshwater fish caught in Rhode Island and some saltwater fish sold
in Rhode Island may b
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§ 23-72-1. Legislative findings.
The general assembly finds and declares:
(1) Mercury from trash incinerators, coal fired power plants, municipal solid waste, hazardous
waste sites, and other human made sources has been identified in virtually every body
of water in New England, as well as the oceans.
(2) Nearly all fish contain at least trace amounts of methyl mercury, which is formed
by the action of bacteria on elemental mercury.
(3) Many types of freshwater fish caught in Rhode Island and some saltwater fish sold
in Rhode Island may be contaminated with mercury, a toxic element that causes neurological
damage.
(4) According to the US Food and Drug Administration, certain species of tuna, shark and
swordfish can have mercury levels over 1.0 parts per million, the FDA limit for human
consumption.
(5) The FDA advises pregnant women of childbearing age to limit their consumption of shark
and swordfish to no more than once a month. Other persons are advised to limit their
consumption of shark and swordfish to no more than seven (7) ounces per week.
(6) However, this health advisory information, which is necessary to protect public health,
is not widely known nor widely disseminated by the state or federal government, potentially
threatening many Rhode Island residents who may unknowingly ingest harmful amounts
of mercury from fish.