Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution

Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution

Meeting #43: Monday, February 10, 2003
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Conference Room, Environmental Assistance Division
Laundry Building, Waterbury State Complex, Waterbury, Vermont

MINUTES

Members Present:
William Bress, Vermont Department of Health
Ric Erdheim, National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Neil Kamman, Agency of Natural Resources, Water Quality Division
Michael Bender
Rich Phillips, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Environmental Assistance

Guests Present:
Gary Gulka, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Environmental Assistance
Karen Knaebel, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Environmental Assistance

The Committee members and interested parties gathered in the Conference Room of the Environmental Assistance Division, Waterbury State Complex. Rich Phillips called the meeting to order.

Agenda Item 1-
Accept minutes of December 20, 2002 meeting and changes to today's agenda.

Minutes for December meeting were approved with one minor clarification change suggested by Neil Kamman in Agenda Item 2.

Agenda Item 2-
Mercury Exposure Awareness - discussion of methods to promote -Michael Bender.

Michael Bender addressed the Committee in recommending three areas that he would like to
see the Committee address in the coming year and include as a part of their work plan. These
areas are as follows:

1. Pros and Cons of dental amalgam fillings and notification to patients of dentists regarding
   this information. Mr. Bender provided the Committee with copies of the Maine dental
   brochure produced for dentists and suggested that perhaps Vermont could provide similar information to dental patients.
   Comments:
   • Committee agreed to present the Maine document on filling choices to Peter Taylor of the Vermont State Dental Society for his comments and thoughts on possible use by Vermont dentists.
2. Commercial fish advisories -Mr. Bender advised that he would be interested in providing information to food co-ops in Vermont to determine if they would be willing to voluntarily distribute information regarding mercury advisories for commercial fish. Mr. Bender referred to the article titled "California sues grocers over mercury in fish" and suggested that the Committee consider including this topic on the work plan and exploring the possibilities.
   Comments:
   • Bill Bress commented that he discovered that the Iraq mercury exposure studies were based on levels of "ethyl" mercury rather than "methyl" mercury and that the toxicity is different, metabolizing time is different. This is something he is going to explore further and may affect the way he evaluates for fish advisories.
   • Comment that stores will not be receptive to advising about mercury levels in fish until California takes some action.
   • Whole Foods Grocery chain in California agreed to voluntarily provide this information. Comment was made that this is a health food store chain and those types of stores are already consciences regarding "health" issues.
   • California has Proposition 65, which is a disclosure before exposure law - Vermont does not have any similar legislation. Suggestion to work this issue through the MS SPOC committee to approach co-ops who may be more willing to provide information "voluntarily" to their customers.
3. Mercury in Thimerosal and other infant vaccines. Mr. Bender provided a document entitled "Mercury Exposure: The World's Toxic Time Bomb" which is a report by "Ban Mercury Working Group" prepared for the 22nd United Nations Environment Programme Governing Council Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya. It was noted that most vaccines no longer contain mercury, but there are some that still do such as tetanus shots and perhaps infant flu shots. Mr. Bender advised the Committee that he had such information and would provide the Committee with the list of remaining vaccines. Mr. Bender told the Committee that he met with the Autism Information Center a few weeks ago and discussed legislation, and a bill related to mercury exposure through pharmaceutical products. The mercury in vaccines is "ethyl" mercury - particularly in infant vaccines. He would like to promote preferential purchasing and suggested that pediatricians provide information on mercury content before administering vaccines.
   Comments:
   • Suggestion to have MS SPOC committee or Department of Health to review the Thimerosal issues.
   • Suggestion to include pediatricians who are on the board of the Autism group. These pediatricians already agree that mercury is not favorable in any form. It is important to reduce exposure from all different sources of pharmaceuticals.
   • Suggestion that the Thimerosal is directly a Health Department issue and that Bill Bress explore exposure facts relevant to Vermont such as who is using what vaccines and other products on patients that contain mercury.
   • Question as to whether there is an opportunity for an executive order for preferential purchasing. Several issues, not just mercury-added product related but other products such as nasal sprays, contact lens solutions as well as vaccines.
   • Question as to awareness of medical professionals of mercury issues in vaccines. There is awareness but most believe that mercury has been eliminated from all products. There is an importance to raise this awareness. Especially, if the virtual elimination goal is to be reached, it should be foremost to concentrate efforts on healthcare products.
   • Bill Bress will compile information for the June meeting regarding Vermont's use of mercury in vaccines.

Overall Committee comments:

• Suggestion to take up exposure issues as a part of the work either by developing legislation or at least outreach in the specific areas.
• Suggestion that TV would be a good opportunity to provide mercury exposure awareness, however, funding would be necessary as many Public Service Announcements are not placed at appropriate times to be effective.

Agenda Item 3-
Ongoing mercury projects - Update.

1. Fish Postings
   • Committee on Fish and Wildlife and Water Resources is reviewing this issue again this year. Any information will be provided to the Advisory Committee by update at the next meeting.
   • Problems last year were: 1) the ink on the Health Department's advisory was not suitable for outdoor exposure and did not hold up under the elements, 2) Water Quality Division did not obtain their funding for temporary employees to assist in the postings.
   • Suggestion that advisories could be posted by Fish and Wildlife wardens or Town health officers.
   • Bill Bress agreed to:
     • See if he can arrange postings by the town health officers.
     • Obtain the number of access areas from Neil Kamman.
     • Have a sufficient number of advisories printed that will be more weather resistant.
     • Do a mailing of this information to town health officers (include number of posters necessary for each access area in location) with the next Newsletter that would include the posting information.
     • Newsletter to Town Health Officers complete - approximately April 15, 2003.
     • Include posting information in the Health Officer Manual, which is being updated.
     • Update the Committee on these efforts at subsequent meetings.
   • Committee agreed that it would be beneficial to explore more than one avenue to have the advisories posted.
   • Neil advised that a Lake Champlain group who was willing to post all Lake Champlain access areas approached him. The Committee supported this. Neil advised that he would be in contact with them in March and would update the Committee.
   • Committee agreed to utilize the Water Quality temporary staff this year for both verification of advisory postings and to post when they found areas that were not completed.
   • Question as to whether the advisories would be updated this year. Bill Bress and Neil Kamman agreed that there would be no new data that would change the existing advisories.
2. Hospitals
   • Funds for a hospital mercury program are being provided to the Hospital Association by EAD through an EPA grant.
   • Program will include conferences or trainings, a pledge by the hospitals to eliminate mercury use by 2005, assistance available through CGH Environmental Strategies, Inc. group to do outreach to hospitals, mercury inventory assistance and mercury reduction plans for each hospital.
   • Letter went to hospitals in January in the hope of signing on all 14 hospitals by the end of February.
   • Goal is to be completed by the end of 2003.
   • Vermont Association of Hospitals and Healthcare Systems will be providing information for the hospitals on their web site on this program.
3. Dental
   • Greg Lutchko and Gary Gulka from EAD have met with the large dental suppliers and several representatives of different amalgam separator vendors.
   • Currently making final arrangements for separator vendors to place units in Vermont.
   • About a dozen locations and units have been arranged for the pilot.
   • Pilot has about 4-5 separator vendors participating - pilot focuses on operations and maintenance related issues of the various separators - 6-8 month duration for pilot.
   • EAD is asking each separator vendor to supply at least 2-3 units each so that different types or sizes of offices can evaluate the unit.
   • Goal that units will be installed by February or March.
4. Lamp Recycling Outreach
   • NEWMOA and NEMA have EPA funding to conduct lamp-recycling outreach.
   • DEC is beginning lamp recycling outreach activities.
   • EAD recently conducted a conference call, which included lamp recyclers, retail and grocers groups, Efficiency Vermont, solid waste districts, state lamp contract recycler and others to explore ideas for an effective lamp outreach strategy for businesses and commercial users. The goal of an outreach strategy is to significantly increase rates of lamp recycling.
   • Lamp recyclers have agreed to provide data on the amount of lamps recycled in Vermont. This will allow DEC to establish a baseline for current recycling numbers. Changes in recycling rates can then be measured after outreach strategies are implemented.
   • Current lamp recycling rate estimates of about 20%.
   • Next step is for DEC to draft a lamp recycling outreach strategy.
5. School presentations
   • The presentation currently used at middle and high schools by EAD to get the word out about mercury in the environment was presented to hazardous waste representatives from a few solid waste districts. EAD is encouraging these districts to utilize these materials to present at schools within their district.
6. Card Room Display
   • The card room display was set up January 29, 2003. Many new legislators stopped by to learn about mercury.
   • Some members of the House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources expressed an interest in obtaining more information on the success of fish postings.
7. State Procurement
   • State Department of Buildings and General Services developed a legislative report regarding their progress in eliminating and reducing mercury products in state buildings. EAD can make a copy of the report available upon request.

Agenda Item 4-
Develop 2003 Work Plan.

1. Continue to provide testimony and information to legislative committees on proposed mercury legislation.
   Comments:
   • Legislation currently not introduced. EAD will keep committee updated, keep on work plan as continued effort.
2. Continue to review environmental monitoring data, studies, and environmental research initiatives (state, regional and national) on all aspects of mercury contamination in air, soils, water, and biota to gain a better understanding of the ecological and human health risks in Vermont.
   Comments:
   • Put on work plan to update in December.
3. Continue to provide comment and review on revisions and enhancements to Vermont DEC's mercury emissions inventory and stay abreast of efforts to revise the regional mercury emissions inventory.
   Comments:
   • Committee will be kept abreast of regional efforts to update the regional mercury emissions inventory.
   • Neil will update the Committee on regional efforts in December.
   • Karen to contact Bart Sponsellor with Air Quality to obtain an update on the time frame for the Vermont inventory.
   • Include this item for update in July.
4. Review, comment, and advise on mercury education and reduction efforts and programs of the VT DEC, Department of Health, Solid Waste Districts and municipalities, and other private and non-profit organizations.
   Comments:
   • Include updates throughout the year on the work plan.
   • Break down the efforts on the work plan time line and the individual plans for outreach.
5. Continue to oversee efforts of DOH and DEC to improve outreach and education to the general public and sensitive populations on fish consumption advisories for both recreational and commercial fish.
   Comments:
   • As agreed, items will be added to the work plan for voluntary dental filling options brochure, voluntary work with information provided at co-ops regarding commercial fish consumption and potential steps regarding Thimerosal and infant vaccines and other pharmaceutical items.
   • Thimerosal exposure meeting including others with technical expertise in June.
   • Bring supermarket point of sale information to MS SPOC committee to determine appropriate approach for voluntary efforts.
   • Include outreach to other sensitive populations such as Abenaki. Contact Sara O'Brien for possible assistance in this area.
6. Continue to oversee of efforts by the Agency of Natural Resources, its Departments, and other organizations, to post fish consumption advisories at all state-owned access points to waters of the state.
   Comments:
   • Track status of efforts - updates at various intervals.
7. Review ongoing dental amalgam separator evaluation efforts by its amalgam separator subcommittee and provide recommendations for potential adoption as an amendment to current Best Management Practices Guidelines for dental offices.
   Comments:
   • Ongoing updates to Committee.
8. Continue to review the status and effectiveness of manufacturer-sponsored mercury product collection and take-back programs for products such as thermostats, batteries, and medical products. Continue to review effectiveness of collection programs sponsored by the state and municipalities for products such as motor vehicle switches, appliance switches, electronic products and dairy manometers.
   Comments:
   • Left collection section out of legislation. Realistic to evaluate efforts of other states. Some states are currently developing rules for implementation.
   • Suggestion to invite Terri Goldberg with NEWMOA to attend meeting during the year for an overview of state efforts for collection in the region.
9. Provide comment to DEC on lamp recycling education and outreach efforts.
   Comments:
   • Ongoing updates to Committee.
10. Continue to work in conjunction with the Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Markets to assist with securing funding for completion of the replacement and removal of remaining mercury dairy manometers at working and non-working farms throughout the state.
    Comments:
    • Contact Mike Loner with Northwest Vermont Solid Waste Management District to determine where current efforts stand with this program.
    • Consider potential funding through 15-Mile Falls unlikely. Although they received water quality certification in exchange for the settlement, they are entertaining a serious offer for sale or possible bankruptcy, which may negate the settlement funding.
11. Monitor progress of mercury reduction efforts at hospitals and health care facilities in Vermont through collaborative efforts of the DEC and Vermont Association of Hospital and Health Care Systems.
    Comments:
    • Continual updates to Committee.

Agenda Item 5-
Other topics not on agenda.

Mercury exposure and wildlife -It was brought to the attention of the Committee that there were ongoing research efforts regarding loons and otters for the effects of mercury exposure. A suggestion was made to invite researchers to update the ACMP about these issues.

• Neil Kamman commented that geographic trends and high mercury levels in watersheds tend to produce higher mercury levels in wildlife. It is another indicator organism for patterns of mercury contamination. Loon population growth is decreasing while the number of chicks is increasing. Adult males are dying, adolescent males (buffer population) are replacing these males and many males are less aggressive defending their nests, thus, the population is decreasing.
• Committee interested in inviting Dave Evers from Maine to present to the ACMP on mercury in wildlife issues. Possibly consider a public presentation as well. Neil Kamman will contact Mr. Evers to check his availability.

Agenda Item 6-
Set date and agenda for next meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 28, 2003 from 9:00 am to noon will be held in the conference room at the Environmental Assistance Division, Waterbury state complex, Waterbury, Vermont.