Mercury exposure can cause negative effects on the human body and interfere with brain development. It is important that we, as a society, take action now to improve sustainability for future generations. There are many ways that people can get involved and start making a difference:
1: The first step is to raise awareness. Often, people are unaware of which foods contain mercury and are inadvertently exposing themselves through the foods they eat. In addition, most people go about their day unknowingly using household products that contain mercury. These items include: thermometers, household lamps and light bulbs, batteries, disinfectants, clothing irons, pesticides, antiseptics, blood pressure gauges. We need to spread the word about which foods and products contain toxic levels of mercury.
2: The second step is to encourage people to choose alternative options. People can control which foods they purchase and eliminate mercury from their diet all together. This may seem like a small change on an individual basis but if an entire community, city, state, or country made these changes it could make a huge impact. Over time this would shift the product demand towards items that contain low to no mercury thereby lowering mercury levels as a whole. We can also urge people to recycle mercury containing products at a certified recycler and dispose of other mercury products with care.
3: The third step is to get people to take a stand against mercury. Mercury free advocates have joined together and created an organization that take a stand against mercury exposure and other harmful pollutions. We can persuade people to take action by joining one of the following organizations:
To find more petitions and to get involved in your local area please inquire with your city council. It is important to stay up-to-date with your local news and organizations that focus on environmental concerns to stay informed about mercury. The more you know, the more you can do; get informed and get involved!
1: The first step is to raise awareness. Often, people are unaware of which foods contain mercury and are inadvertently exposing themselves through the foods they eat. In addition, most people go about their day unknowingly using household products that contain mercury. These items include: thermometers, household lamps and light bulbs, batteries, disinfectants, clothing irons, pesticides, antiseptics, blood pressure gauges. We need to spread the word about which foods and products contain toxic levels of mercury.
2: The second step is to encourage people to choose alternative options. People can control which foods they purchase and eliminate mercury from their diet all together. This may seem like a small change on an individual basis but if an entire community, city, state, or country made these changes it could make a huge impact. Over time this would shift the product demand towards items that contain low to no mercury thereby lowering mercury levels as a whole. We can also urge people to recycle mercury containing products at a certified recycler and dispose of other mercury products with care.
3: The third step is to get people to take a stand against mercury. Mercury free advocates have joined together and created an organization that take a stand against mercury exposure and other harmful pollutions. We can persuade people to take action by joining one of the following organizations:
- GreenFaith is an international organization whose goal is to inspire, educate, and mobilize people of diverse religious backgrounds for environmental leadership. They share the goal of creating laws that requiring better regulation of coal plant toxin production. Learn more about GreenFaith and sign their petition here.
- Mom's Clean Air Force strives to protect our children by working toward better laws, regulations, and industry practices. In order to stay active and work toward cleaner air for future generations check out Moms Clean Air Force here.
- ForceChange is a group who work to improve environmental pollution, human rights, social justice, progressive politics, animal rights and more. On their website they maintain a petition to American Electric Power CEO, Nick Akins to work toward reducing mercury emissions from American power plants. To Read more and sign their petition visit their website here.
To find more petitions and to get involved in your local area please inquire with your city council. It is important to stay up-to-date with your local news and organizations that focus on environmental concerns to stay informed about mercury. The more you know, the more you can do; get informed and get involved!
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Created by Portland State Multimedia Capstone Winter 2015