Thank you both for your public service work providing education, awareness and hope for improving the human experience and that of all life in the planet.
HG #80 in periodic table of elements. It is Teratogenic; Methyl Mercury is very toxic. Exposure leads to damage to your central nervous system. Long term exposure Leads to Madness. This is war on our own people.
Sorry I didn't mean to put them together the mercury is trumps idea to allow coal again dumping mercury into ponds and rivers. The trashing of vaccines is all rfk his very foolish idea. He already put forth his idea to cure measles that caused kids to get damage from too much vitamin A and now he wants to remove all vaccines.
Older readers of this Substack like myself will remember the outbreaks of Minamata Disease in Japan in the 1950s and 1960s. "Minamata Disease" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamata_disease) is the effect of mercury poisoning in humans. In Japan it resulted from industrial pollution. Canadians have a horrible example closer to home. Two First Nation reserves sit on the English-Wabigoon River system in northwestern Ontario. The Wabigoon was contaminated with mercury by discharges from the Dryden pulp mill, 1962-1970 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_contamination_in_Grassy_Narrows). The resulting mercury contamination of the fish in the river has had catastrophic effects on the people of the Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations that are only now beginning to be addressed comprehensively. Both of these examples have been documented abundantly, and there is no reason to think that the science of mercury pollution and its effects on humans are in any way subject to doubt. Americans should look at these consequences of releasing mercury into the environment before concluding that the Trump administration is really making America great.
As a child, we took our temperature with mercury thermometers. If it broke — they were glass — my Dad would chase the mercury around with a shirt cardboard. At the time, we had no idea how toxic it was. Today, the fatty fishes that are supposed to promote brain health and fight cholesterol are also contaminated with mercury—again, your two steps forward, three back. Our biggest problem is that the industrialized world — not just the U.S. — is now totally beholden to business interests for whom short-term loss outweighs long term gain. Worse, their extremely effective PR machine has the general public thinking the same way.
The essay focuses on mercury releases from small-scale hand mining for gold. It would be useful to learn more about about mercury releases from power plants in the US, which may be more immediately important to U.S. residents. You mention briefly that the Trump administration is offering "emergency" exemptions to the previous EPA standards; how is that likely to play out?
This Natural Resources Defense Council web page gives a useful 2023-24 summary about coal-burning power plants, but naturally doesn't discuss the effects of the new exemptions.
I have seen conflicting accounts of the likely practical effect of the Trump exemptions. Abandoning previous standards obviously opens the door to significant harm. On the other hand, I recall claims that most (but not all?) plants have already made the capital investment to install scrubbers meeting the Biden-era standards, and that they are unlikely to turn them off just because they could get an exemption. If that is right, the practical effect of the exemptions may be small.
Can you point us toward any reliable studies of this issue? Preferably offering estimates of the relevant national numbers? Or perhaps apply your joint expertise to dig into it yourselves for a future blog post?
I am joining those who have become paid subscribers to your Substack because I appreciate the straightforward discussions and insights drawn from your experience gained through your work with the Pentagon.Today’s post by Marilyn informing your readers about the current Administration’s intention to roll back current environmental regulations that have been providing some protection from Mercury poisoning is absolutely chilling, as have been so many other developments in the very recent past. My support is intended to help enable you to continue providing quality content on crucial topics. Thank you once again for your commitment.
To be sure the problem of mercury is very important. However many in the community now are more concerned about the economy, health care, social security and veterans' issues. You should be pointing out who losing out there and that the Republicans are responsible for those citizens' losses. Otherwise I fear come next election, you will not win.
As long as the Democrats keep using the same playbook (Collect lots of money for consultants, polls and ads before an election, phone banking and door knocking) Democrats will continue to lose as they have been for the last 40 years.
Republicans created a whole new playbook starting with Rush Limbaugh and Fox News and now rampantly use social media (85% of social media posts are Republican) and it has been working. The Democrats keep using the same playbook described above and failing.
Without controlling the message delivery system, the message is worthless.
Fox, concentrating on the issues you mentioned is Lucas' adult life work. He does prioritize them. And as far as the midterm elections, it looks as though Rump , Musk and there goons plan on not having them 😡
I am absolutely overwhelmed by all of the STUPID decisions this administration has made. This is certainly at the top of the list. Thank you for sharing your experience and great work.
My memories of mercury is in the many fillings we had as children. My sister actually had a toxic reaction that was not diagnosed until a dentist encouraged her to replace all her fillings.
I remember putting mercury from broken thermometers onto coins. It made them shiny and slippery and then it would soak in and the coins became dull. It is also in amalgam fillings for teeth and I have a lot of them.
Fear and animosity give their lives meaning, for want of decency, and they hate us so this is just another deliberate outrage by this gang of grifters and sickos.
Thank you both for your public service work providing education, awareness and hope for improving the human experience and that of all life in the planet.
Thank you for your dedication ❤️
HG #80 in periodic table of elements. It is Teratogenic; Methyl Mercury is very toxic. Exposure leads to damage to your central nervous system. Long term exposure Leads to Madness. This is war on our own people.
That monster has to go. Between mercury and trashing all vaccines he's going to try and kill all of us:(
I thought RFK was against vaccines BECAUSE of mercury! What does he have to say about this? /s We already know the answer is...nothing.
Sorry I didn't mean to put them together the mercury is trumps idea to allow coal again dumping mercury into ponds and rivers. The trashing of vaccines is all rfk his very foolish idea. He already put forth his idea to cure measles that caused kids to get damage from too much vitamin A and now he wants to remove all vaccines.
Tat man is dangerous to our health!
Absolutely :(
oops, it was poorly written. I meant what would RFK have to say about this as the SHHS, not that it was his idea.
He sure wouldn’t care he's already gotten kids killed before he was appointed in Samoa.
Only thing I head that he said he didn’t have a problem with it
Well I've heard others say what he thinks about vaccines but I'd like to hear him in person. Then we would really know what's up.
Older readers of this Substack like myself will remember the outbreaks of Minamata Disease in Japan in the 1950s and 1960s. "Minamata Disease" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamata_disease) is the effect of mercury poisoning in humans. In Japan it resulted from industrial pollution. Canadians have a horrible example closer to home. Two First Nation reserves sit on the English-Wabigoon River system in northwestern Ontario. The Wabigoon was contaminated with mercury by discharges from the Dryden pulp mill, 1962-1970 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_contamination_in_Grassy_Narrows). The resulting mercury contamination of the fish in the river has had catastrophic effects on the people of the Grassy Narrows and Whitedog First Nations that are only now beginning to be addressed comprehensively. Both of these examples have been documented abundantly, and there is no reason to think that the science of mercury pollution and its effects on humans are in any way subject to doubt. Americans should look at these consequences of releasing mercury into the environment before concluding that the Trump administration is really making America great.
As a child, we took our temperature with mercury thermometers. If it broke — they were glass — my Dad would chase the mercury around with a shirt cardboard. At the time, we had no idea how toxic it was. Today, the fatty fishes that are supposed to promote brain health and fight cholesterol are also contaminated with mercury—again, your two steps forward, three back. Our biggest problem is that the industrialized world — not just the U.S. — is now totally beholden to business interests for whom short-term loss outweighs long term gain. Worse, their extremely effective PR machine has the general public thinking the same way.
If you control the message delivery system, you control the people. https://WeDidntWantThis.com
The only things that seems consistent to this administration are greed and a hatred of liberal democracy.
This is a useful essay; thank you.
The essay focuses on mercury releases from small-scale hand mining for gold. It would be useful to learn more about about mercury releases from power plants in the US, which may be more immediately important to U.S. residents. You mention briefly that the Trump administration is offering "emergency" exemptions to the previous EPA standards; how is that likely to play out?
This Natural Resources Defense Council web page gives a useful 2023-24 summary about coal-burning power plants, but naturally doesn't discuss the effects of the new exemptions.
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/mercurys-journey-coal-burning-power-plants-your-plate
I have seen conflicting accounts of the likely practical effect of the Trump exemptions. Abandoning previous standards obviously opens the door to significant harm. On the other hand, I recall claims that most (but not all?) plants have already made the capital investment to install scrubbers meeting the Biden-era standards, and that they are unlikely to turn them off just because they could get an exemption. If that is right, the practical effect of the exemptions may be small.
Can you point us toward any reliable studies of this issue? Preferably offering estimates of the relevant national numbers? Or perhaps apply your joint expertise to dig into it yourselves for a future blog post?
Thanks again for your useful work.
Guy Carden
Spokane, Washington
I am joining those who have become paid subscribers to your Substack because I appreciate the straightforward discussions and insights drawn from your experience gained through your work with the Pentagon.Today’s post by Marilyn informing your readers about the current Administration’s intention to roll back current environmental regulations that have been providing some protection from Mercury poisoning is absolutely chilling, as have been so many other developments in the very recent past. My support is intended to help enable you to continue providing quality content on crucial topics. Thank you once again for your commitment.
Best regards,
Cora Butler
To be sure the problem of mercury is very important. However many in the community now are more concerned about the economy, health care, social security and veterans' issues. You should be pointing out who losing out there and that the Republicans are responsible for those citizens' losses. Otherwise I fear come next election, you will not win.
As long as the Democrats keep using the same playbook (Collect lots of money for consultants, polls and ads before an election, phone banking and door knocking) Democrats will continue to lose as they have been for the last 40 years.
Republicans created a whole new playbook starting with Rush Limbaugh and Fox News and now rampantly use social media (85% of social media posts are Republican) and it has been working. The Democrats keep using the same playbook described above and failing.
Without controlling the message delivery system, the message is worthless.
Fox, concentrating on the issues you mentioned is Lucas' adult life work. He does prioritize them. And as far as the midterm elections, it looks as though Rump , Musk and there goons plan on not having them 😡
Thank you
I am absolutely overwhelmed by all of the STUPID decisions this administration has made. This is certainly at the top of the list. Thank you for sharing your experience and great work.
Trump is literally a sociopath.
My memories of mercury is in the many fillings we had as children. My sister actually had a toxic reaction that was not diagnosed until a dentist encouraged her to replace all her fillings.
I remember putting mercury from broken thermometers onto coins. It made them shiny and slippery and then it would soak in and the coins became dull. It is also in amalgam fillings for teeth and I have a lot of them.
Yes, and those fillings have caused so many health issues for immune compromised people
Fear and animosity give their lives meaning, for want of decency, and they hate us so this is just another deliberate outrage by this gang of grifters and sickos.