Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution

Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution

Meeting #46: Monday, June 30, 2003
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Conference Room, Environmental Assistance Division
Laundry Building, Waterbury State Complex, Waterbury, Vermont

MINUTES

Members Present:
William Bress, Vermont Department of Health
Mary Canales, Department of Nursing, University of Vermont
Neil Kamman, Agency of Natural Resources, Water Quality Division
Michael Bender, Abenaki Self-Help Association, Inc.
Rich Phillips, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Environmental Assistance

Guests Present:
Eric Palmer, Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife
Susanne Miller, Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG)
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 May meeting, changes to today's agenda.

• Minutes were reviewed and accepted with no changes.
• Add review of letter to Town Health Officers as additional agenda item.

Agenda Item 2-
Overview of Committee work regarding fish consumption.

Rich Phillips gave Eric Palmer an overview of the formation of the Advisory Committee through legislation, its charge, its purpose and also that the same legislation required product labeling, banned labeled products from landfill disposal and required that information and education be provided to the general public on mercury.

Mr. Phillips advised that as a part of the outreach, the Committee had determined that it would focus its efforts this year primarily on providing information to sensitive populations regarding mercury in fish. The Committee felt it was important to coordinate with the Department of Fish and Wildlife in their outreach effort.

A sub-committee has been formed to look at potential areas and methods to get the word out to sensitive populations, which includes pregnant women and young children. Mercury in fish is the primary way that humans are exposed to mercury. Most of the fishing access areas in Vermont have already been posted with the Health Department warning and the companion piece that addresses common misconceptions about mercury in fish.

Recently some of the members of the Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution were asked to speak at the House Fish and Wildlife Committee briefing. From that discussion the Advisory Committee felt it should be working more closely with Fish and Wildlife and ask that they become a part of the process and attend the Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution meetings. Mr. Palmer indicated that he would be willing to be the liaison to the Committee on behalf of Fish and Wildlife. Mr. Palmer indicated that Fish and Wildlife had discussed the issue of mercury in fish and offered to work with the Committee in some specific focus areas as follows:

1. A mass mailing of information to businesses that sell fishing licenses. (posters, etc.) Next years licenses will be mailed out in December and perhaps there can be something sent for this year's licenses.
2. Joint press release about the benefits of eating fish and the limitations because of mercury.
3. In the legislative session - request more funding for fish tissue testing to discriminate between lakes that have fish with higher mercury levels and those with lower mercury levels.

The Committee agreed that Eric Palmer would be added to the Advisory Committee's mailing list and he would be advised when the Committee would be addressing issues regarding mercury in fish. The Committee would also provide a copy of the strategic plan and outline for his input on the committee's approach to getting the word out to sensitive populations.

The Committee believed that the message to the general public could be relayed in such a way to promote the health benefits of eating fish and also to identify the species of fish that may have lower mercury levels. This information would also provide the message that some fish should be either avoided or consumed less often. The sub-committee plans to draft a document that may better relay this message with the assistance of Fish and Wildlife. This document, if developed soon, could be included in the mailing of fishing licenses in December. If not, Fish and Wildlife will use the existing Health Department fish advisory poster and companion piece. Neil Kamman also volunteered to be a part of this project. The meeting to discuss this was set for August 26, 2003 from 10:00 to 11:00 either by conference call or at the EAD Conference room in the Waterbury state complex.

Agenda Item 3-
Mercury in vaccines in Vermont - Bill Bress.

Dr. Bress commented that research had been done evaluating ethyl mercury and methyl mercury and that each of these forms of mercury reacted somewhat differently in the body. This, he felt was significant in connection with mercury in vaccines. Mercury is included in vaccines as a preservative. When a large quantity of biological is made, there is a need for some type of anti-bacterial agent. . Ethyl mercury is generally utilized in vaccines as the preservative. The issue with mercury is the build up in the brain. There are two factors that allow mercury to cross the blood brain barrier so mercury can enter the brain- one is the size of the molecule and the other is the solubility and decomposition. Methyl mercury is more stable in the body that ethyl mercury. The methyl mercury molecule is very similar to the amino acid, methionine. There is an amino acid pathway to the brain and the barrier simply thinks the methyl mercury is an amino acid. In metabolism, ethyl mercury breaks down more quickly. Both compounds metabolize to elemental mercury.

Ethyl mercury is less toxic than methyl mercury. Ethyl mercury concentrates in the kidney. The studies in Iraq were based on methyl mercury levels. The actual calculated risks of ethyl mercury in vaccines, in Dr. Bress' opinion, are a lot less than anticipated. Many studies have been conducted to link mercury exposure to autism. Dr. Bress feels that although the cases of autism may be linked to the vaccine, that the mercury is not the issue.

Overall, pediatric vaccines no longer contain mercury. The hepatitis B vaccine has trace amounts of ethyl mercury and when produced there is a method to remove the mercury, however, this procedure does not eliminate 100% of the mercury (perhaps.5 micrograms per half ml dose) If this was methyl mercury, it would be significant. Single dose vaccines do not need preservatives. There may be small amounts in some influenza and tetanus vaccines. Ethyl mercury, however, is not much of a problem. Dr. Bress stated that to his knowledge there was no stockpile of vaccines. Immunization programs obtain set amounts of vaccines for each season and usually run short. Dr. Bress believes there are no vaccines in Vermont at this point that contain mercury. The committee determined that there was no further need to pursue this issue.

Agenda Item 4-
Committee appointments.

The Committee noted that three appointments were coming up for re-appointment on August 15, 2003; these are Bill Bress, Ric Erdheim and Michael Bender. A letter will go to the governor with the Committee's recommendations. Ric Erdheim advised by e-mail that he would not be able to serve after the August 15th date. The Committee determined that it would pursue a replacement member of industry from IBM or EverReady, which are both Vermont manufacturers. Rich Phillips will make an inquiry into interest and advise the Committee.

Agenda Item 5-
Other topics not on agenda.

A draft letter was presented to the Committee for review to go to all Town Health Officers to commend them on a job well done. It was suggested that a sentence be added to offer additional posters or information if requested. The letter will be changed and the committee will be copied.

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

The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2003 from 9:00 to 11:00 in the conference room at the Environmental Assistance Division, Waterbury state complex, Waterbury, Vermont. There will be no meetings scheduled for July or August 2003.