Obama’s mercury export ban legislation sent to Bush

( – promoted by buhdydharma )

Sen. Barack Obama can add another accomplishment to his legislative record.

Today, the Chicago Tribune reports Obama-sponsored mercury-storage bill now sent to Bush.

Stockpiles of toxic mercury kept by industry soon will be stored safely in the United States instead of ending up on the world market where it might pollute the environment.

Under bipartisan legislation Congress sent to President George W. Bush Monday for his expected signature, mercury exports would be banned in 2013 and the Energy Department would be required to store the heavy metal permanently.

The bill’s chief sponsor, Sen. Barack Obama, introduced the bill in response to… mercury contamination in fish.

And last year, because of pressure from Obama and “a handful of other senators”, the Department of Energy agreed to “keep its own 1,300-ton stockpile of mercury off the market” as well.  

Obama’s bill is S. 906: Mercury Market Minimization Act of 2007. It passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent on September 26, 2008 and it passed, 393-5, in the House  yesterday, September 29, 2008. Obama introduced the bill on March 15, 2007.

Because of Obama’s leadership, the stockpiles of this toxic heavy metal that are used by American industry will be safely stored in the U.S. rather than being sold elsewhere where it can pollute our environment.

Mercury is most dangerous to young children and women who may become pregnant. The metal can be ingested by people eating contaminated fish. In a statement reported by the Trib, Obama said:

“We know that mercury can cause serious developmental problems in children and problems affecting vision, motor skills, blood pressure and fertility in adults… While the United States has improved its efforts to collect and contain mercury, this country remains one of the leading exporters of this dangerous product.”

The use of mercury is loosely regulated in developing countries where it is used in “small-scale gold-mining operations, thermometer manufacturers, and chemical plants”. “Scientists say some of that air pollution can drift back to the U.S. and contaminate lakes and rivers, undercutting aggressive efforts to keep mercury out of the environment.”

According to The Great Beyond blog at Nature, the European Union has a similar ban taking effect in 2011.

^{Cross-posted at Daily Kos.}