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if mercury pollution hasn’t caused a large enough dent in the
United States, studies have found yet another negative effect: Mercury
exposure in the womb results in lower IQ levels, costing the United
States a nearly $9 billion a year in lost earning potential.
A number of previous studies were combined in order to determine
that hundreds of thousands of babies are born each year with compromised
IQ linked to mercury exposure.
Researchers concluded that even a 1.6-point drop in IQ could cost
a person almost $32,000 in lifetime earnings due to missed educational
and occupational opportunities. Findings were derived in part from
statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
which analyzed the frequency of high mercury levels in women of
childbearing age. Other major organizations have taken notice of
the growing mercury concern as well:
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The Food and Drug Administration warned high levels of mercury
in albacore tuna and other fish could pose a health risk for
pregnant women.
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It was estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency that
about eight percent of childbearing-age women in America have
enough mercury in their blood to put a fetus at risk.
Mercury’s Influence
One scientist explained how being affected by mercury is simply
based on a person’s genetic disposition, in that some people
are not going to be affected by mercury while others are. Yet the
statistics regarding children who were adversely affected by mercury
exposure are nonetheless startling:
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It is estimated anywhere from 316,000-637,000 children are
born each year with umbilical cord blood mercury levels correlated
with IQ loss.
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IQ losses associated with mercury exposure range from one-fifth
of an IQ point to as much as 24 points. For example, blood mercury
levels between 7.13-15 micrograms per liter causes a loss of
1.6 IQ points.
Efforts are being made to change how the government regulates mercury
emissions from power plants and other sources in hopes of reducing
the amount of mercury polluting the air and the environment.
Center for Children's Health and the Environment February 28,
2005 (free PDF article).
Environmental
Health Perspectives February 25, 2005 (free full-text PDF article)
ABC
News March 1, 2005
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