Mercury Rising… Again!
Concerns over high levels in methyl mercury in fish, commonly caught from our waterways and eaten, are getting some high visibility again. I reported in a series of stories called “Mercury Rising” about those concerns over a year ago. One of the issues I pointed out in those reports was South Carolina DHEC’s communications efforts to let average people know about the dangers. Those efforts are very limited to flyers printed and placed in doctor’s offices and at DHEC offices, and the fish advisories that appear on the DHEC website. Folks who rely on fish from the river as a staple of their families’ dinner tables may never hear that communication and learn the dangers.Here’s the web link, if you would like to get the latest info. http://www.scdhec.net/environment/water/fish/index.htm
Meanwhile, the proposed location of a coal-fired power plant in the Pee Dee area of Kingsburg has many very concerned about even more mercury finding its way into area fish that might be eaten by area people. DHEC was asked to test Pee Dee residents for mercury, and their response was that they want a formal request from physicians. Well, they now have it from several Pee Dee doctors.
Guess what else they have? They reportedly have two blood scanners to do the testing. An October 30th Charleston Post and Courier article says one of the machines has been used only once since they got the scanner 3 years ago, and the other machine had not been assembled.
Ann Timberlake of the Conservation Voters of South Carolina wrote an Op/Ed piece, which ran in the Sun News on December 4th, criticizing DHEC for not getting out and testing folks for mercury.
I called DHEC today, to confirm all the info about the blood scanners. I spoke with Adam Myrick, a DHEC spokesperson, and told him I would forward Timberlake’s Op/Ed concerns, and I attached a few pretty simple questions.
Here they are:
Does DHEC indeed have 2 blood scanners for testing mercury in blood?
Is the information below about the price of the equipment and that the funds came from Homeland Security accurate?
Has the equipment been used, and if so, how often? Is it used on a specific program?
Please feel free to clarify any claims made in the opinion piece.
Here was Adam Myrick’s reply:
“We appreciate your seeking our response to the aforementioned op/ed piece from The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News. But, at this point, we'd like to respectfully decline the opportunity to discuss it.”
I called Representative Tracy Edge of North Myrtle Beach and asked him what reason DHEC would have to decline comment. He told me “There is no reason not to comment. There’s nothing they should have a reason to hide, and if there is, we’re gonna find out what it is.”
I am glad to hear that. I would like to know why DHEC officials don’t believe that agency should answer simple questions that require them to be accountable to citizens they serve.
Posted by on 12/06 at 11:43 PM
