While mercury contamination caused by coal-fired power plants continues to make headlines, government agencies have glossed over an even more direct form of mercury poisoning.
Dr. Arnold P. Wendorff, director of the New York-based Mercury Poisoning Project, has urged both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State and City health departments to address the religious use of mercury in Latino communities in New York City.
But despite his 15-year campaign, Dr. Wendorff told BushGreenwatch that the government agencies have yet to "substantively address the issue."
In many Latino and Caribbean communities, mercury has long been used in religious ceremonies associated with the Voodoo, Santeria, Espiritismo and Palo traditions of Caribbean origin. During these ceremonies, mercury, called azogue by practitioners, is sprinkled around the home, sometimes near a child's crib, or outside the front door of an apartment. The idea is to repel evil spirits.
Some 47,000 capsules of mercury are sold each year in local stores-- called botanicas -- scattered throughout the Bronx. Such widespread distribution could contaminate up to 13,000 homes.
A survey of 203 adult residents of New York City found that 44 percent of Caribbean respondents, and 27 percent of Latin American respondents reported having used mercury in magico-religious ceremonies.
Following a ceremony, mercury vapor can remain in households for years, with severely harmful health consequences. A mere .7 grams of mercury can emit substantial levels of mercury vapor for over 15 years-- and these ceremonies often use up to 10 grams of mercury. [1]
Inhalation of mercury vapor is one of the most direct means of exposure, as the human body absorbs 80% of mercury inhaled. [2] Even residents who do not practice these ceremonies may suffer health consequences; mercury vapor can permeate cracks in floors and escape into hallways.
Frustrated over the lack of response from the EPA and the New York City Health Department, Dr. Wendorff filed a new complaint with the EPA's Office of the Inspector General on February 7th, but the Agency has yet to respond.
The EPA and New York State and City health departments, however, are not the only branches of government to brush off the issue.
Wendorff has lobbied several members of Congress. He says they were initially receptive to his pleas, but became discouraged upon recognizing the complexity of the problem.
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SOURCES:
[1] Hidden Danger, NRDC report, Oct. 20, 2004.
[2] Public Health Crisis in the Low-Income Community, Vital Signs, Winter 2003.
