TITLE 23
Health and Safety
CHAPTER 23-72
Mercury In Fish Products
SECTION 23-72-1
§ 23-72-1 Legislative findings.
The general assembly finds and declares:
(1) Mercury from trash incinerators, coal fired power plants,
municipal solid waste, hazardous waste sites, and other human made sources has
been identified in virtually every body of water in New England, as well as the
oceans.
(2) Nearly all fish contain at least trace amounts of methyl
mercury, which is formed by the action of bacteria on elemental mercury.
(3) Many types of freshwater fish caught in Rhode Island and
some saltwater fish sold in Rhode Island may be contaminated with mercury, a
toxic element that causes neurological damage.
(4) According to the US Food and Drug Administration, certain
species of tuna, shark and swordfish can have mercury levels over 1.0 parts per
million, the FDA limit for human consumption.
(5) The FDA advises pregnant women of childbearing age to
limit their consumption of shark and swordfish to no more than once a month.
Other persons are advised to limit their consumption of shark and swordfish to
no more than seven (7) ounces per week.
(6) However, this health advisory information, which is
necessary to protect public health, is not widely known nor widely disseminated
by the state or federal government, potentially threatening many Rhode Island
residents who may unknowingly ingest harmful amounts of mercury from fish.
History of Section.
(P.L. 2001, ch. 252, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 375, § 1.)