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A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF

ENVIRONMENT TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE

MERCURY REDUCTION ACTION PLAN FOR NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, mercury is a naturally occurring element that

has many industrial and commercial uses; and

WHEREAS, human activities are primarily responsible for

high mercury levels that frequently contaminate air and water;

and

WHEREAS, unnaturally high levels of mercury in the

environment pose a significant risk to health, the economy and

wildlife; and

WHEREAS, mercury persists indefinitely in the

environment and biomagnifies in the food chain; and

WHEREAS, at least twenty-six bodies of water in New

Mexico have fish advisories due to mercury contamination; and

WHEREAS, mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can

permanently damage the brain and nervous system, as well as

harm the kidneys, liver, heart and reproductive system; and

WHEREAS, unborn and young children are especially

vulnerable to the toxic effects of mercury; and

WHEREAS, the United States centers for disease control

and prevention estimate that one in twelve women of

childbearing age in the United States has an elevated level of

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mercury in her body; and

WHEREAS, the national academy of sciences estimated that

"over six hundred thousand children are born each year at risk

for adverse neurodevelopmental effects due to in utero

exposure to methyl mercury"; and

WHEREAS, the department of health and the department of

environment estimate that over four thousand children born in

New Mexico each year are at risk for neurologic deficits from

in utero exposure to mercury; and

WHEREAS, according to the United States agency for toxic

substances and disease registry, the primary ways people are

exposed to mercury are through eating mercury-contaminated

fish and from dental amalgams; and

WHEREAS, mercury has been targeted by the United States

environmental protection agency and most state governments for

being one of the most critical pollutants for elimination or

reduction; and

WHEREAS, the quicksilver caucus was formed in May 2001

by a coalition of state environmental association leaders to

collaboratively develop holistic approaches for reducing

mercury in the environment, and caucus members include the

association of state and territorial solid waste management

officials; the association of state and territorial air

pollution program administrators; the association of state and

interstate water pollution control administrators; and the

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association of state drinking water administrators; and

WHEREAS, in a 2005 survey, twenty-two states reported

that they had a comprehensive mercury reduction action plan or

a plan in development, including Colorado, Arizona and

Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico has no comprehensive mercury

reduction action plan; and

WHEREAS, Article 20, Section 21 of the constitution of

New Mexico affirms that "the protection of the state's

beautiful and healthful environment is hereby declared to be

of fundamental importance to the public interest, health,

safety and the general welfare" and that "the legislature

shall provide for control of pollution and control of

despoilment of the air, water and other natural resources of

this state, consistent with the use and development of these

resources for the maximum benefit of the people";

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department

of health and the department of environment be requested to

convene a task force to develop a comprehensive mercury

reduction action plan to reduce harm from exposure to mercury

in New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include

representation from appropriate state agencies; tribes;

universities; and environmental, health and other

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nongovernmental organizations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its

action plan to the legislative health and human services

committee and to the interim legislative committee that

studies water and natural resources issues at their October

2006 meetings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of health and the secretary of

environment.