Rhode Island § 23-72-1 § 23-72-1. Legislative findings.

Rhode Island Statutes

§ 23-72-1 — § 23-72-1. Legislative findings.

Rhode Island § 23-72-1

Title 23Health and Safety

Ch. 23-72Mercury in Fish Products

This text of Rhode Island § 23-72-1 (§ 23-72-1. Legislative findings.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Rhode Island primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-72-1 (2026).

Text

§ 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

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

§ 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.