For Immediate Release
July 17, 2006
Please Contact: Colin Durrant (617)722-1650 or
Michael Bloom  617.722.1650 , 617-722-1650

     BARRIOS PUSHES PASSAGE OF MERCURY BILL TO REDUCE DANGEROUS CHEMICAL IN    AIR AND WATER

  The amount of mercury released into the air and water will be significantly reduced in Massachusetts under a bill pushed by Senator Jarrett Barrios and passed by the Senate on June 19th.  Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that has been linked to learning disabilities in children, as well as damage to the heart, nervous system and kidneys in adults.  Barrios worked with community groups, environmental organizations and local businesses to make sure companies would be a key partner in reducing mercury.

 

“People living in urban, densely populated areas deserve clean air to breath and clean water to drink,” said Senator Barrios.  “Mercury has serious health concerns for children and we should be doing everything possible to phase out its use.”

 

The mercury bill requires manufacturers of mercury-containing products, including automobiles, to set up collection programs to keep discarded products out of the waste stream.  Barrios led efforts to toughen the law for automobile manufactures mercury collection efforts.  This bill will make auto manufacturers pay a $3 incentive per switch to remove the offending mercury switches and dispose of them safely.  

 

The bill would also phase out the use of certain mercury-containing products which have safer alternatives.  It also requires light bulb manufacturers to educate the public about the mercury content and proper disposal of fluorescent light bulbs, as well as provide grants to municipalities to set up collection programs for mercury-containing bulbs. 

 

“We are very grateful to Senator Barrios and the late State Rep. Edward Connolly, for all their hard work in passing this very important bill,” said Anthony Liburdi, of Prolerized New England, an automotive recycler whose environmental efforts will be enhanced by this legislation.

 

 

Under a deal struck by the Legislature, automobile manufacturers may create an alternative plan for mercury collection to avoid the $3 per switch charge.  If they choose to, the auto manufacturers must reach a capture rate of 50% by December 31, 2007 and 90% by December 31, 2008.  If the automobile manufacturer does not comply with these requirements, they will be subject to the $3 per switch charge.

 

In March, when the bill was debated on the floor of the Senate, Senator Barrios worked with environmental groups to strengthen the bill by proposing an amendment to increase the compliance rate from 50% to 70% in the first year of the program while maintaining the 90% compliance for the second year. 

 

“Mercury is such a potent neurotoxin that very small amounts can have very profound health effects, especially for children. This legislation will take a considerable amount of mercury out of the Massachusetts environment and protect public health,” said Megan Amundson, Legislative Director of the Environmental League of Massachusetts.

 

Late last week, the Governor sent the mercury bill back to the Legislature with an amendment which would weaken the bill, delay the implementation, and with only a few weeks left in the session, jeopardizes the bill from becoming law.  The Governor’s amendment would have a compliance rate of 33% by December 31, 2009, 50% by December 31 2010, and 70% by December 31, 2011.  Senator Barrios has pledged to fight the Governor’s efforts to weaken the bill.

 

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