Advocacy+Group+against+Mercury+Poisoning

Policy Statement: We (Advocacy Group against Mercury Poisoning) believe with the technology of nuclear power plant, the mercury poisons in the atmosphere will reduce sharply. Mercury poisoning is caused by the carbon emissions that are released into the atmosphere, and a huge amount of carbon emissions come from coal power plant. Mercury poisoning is like a bomb timer for the world, everyday a huge amount of carbon emissions are released into the atmosphere. This cause poisoning to our oceans which feed 70% of the world, and also poison the sea animals which affect critically on the food chain. For the future, we believe the nuclear power plant is the solution, and for the mistakes in the past it's what we can learn from and keeps on improving in the future.

Blurb Our group is the Advocacy Group against Mercury Poisoning and we are strongly voting for the nuclear power plant. We are voting for the nuclear power plant because we believe with the use of nuclear power plant the mercury poisoning from all over the world will stop and soon decrease. The mercury poisoning is a very dangerous if the carbon emission keeps on rising. Mercury poisoning is a poison that is created due to the carbon emissions that is caused by human man kinds. The carbon emissions come from such as, cars, factories, trains… and also coal power plant. With coal power plant, it releases a great carbon emissions into the atmosphere, and with nuclear power plant we can reduce the percentages of the mercury in the atmosphere. With the amount of mercury right now in the atmosphere and keeps on rising, it creates a time bomb for the human kind. Mercury also poisons 70% of our world feeds. Which mean sea animals will get poisons, and the cause will affect the food chain.

**Mercury**: Mercury is contained in some of the fish we eat, whether caught in local lakes and streams or brought in grocery store. Mercury is also contained in some of the products we use, which may be found in your home, at the dentist, and at schools. Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and soil. It is an element in the earth's crust and humans cannot destroy mercury. Mercury is found in many rocks including coal. When coal is burned, mercury is released into the environment. Coal-burning power plants are the largest human-caused source of mercury emissions to the air in the United States. Mercury in the air eventually settles into water or onto land where it can be washed into water. Once it's deposited, a high toxic form that builds up in fish, shellfish, and animals that eat fish. Fish and shellfish are the main sources of exposure to human. **Health effects**: Mercury exposure at high levels can harm the brain, heart, kidney, lungs and immune system of people of all ages. Birds and mammals that eat fish are more exposed to mercury than other animals in water ecosystems. Similarly, predators that eat fish-eating animals maybe be highly exposed. At the high levels of exposure, it can lead to death, reduced reproduction, slower growth and development, and abnormal behavior.  []

**Minamata Disease**: Minamata disease is the term used to describe the poisoning that occurred among residents of Minamata, Japan due to the ingestion of mercury containing seafood. From the 1920s through the 1960s, the Chisso company used mercury, a chemical with numerous uses including plastics and perfume production. The Chisso company dumped waste methyl mercury into Minamata Bay. The methyl mercury bio accumulated within the food chain, from plankton and other microorganism up to fish and shellfish. In the early 1950s, Minamata Bay residents began to exhibit symptoms of neurological illness, such as uncontrolled trembling, loss of control, and partial paralysis. Children also began to be born with Minamata disease, exhibiting similar symptoms. The fishermen of Minamata began protesting against Chisso Corporation in 1959. They demanded that Chisso should quit dumping toxic waste. Chisso in turn tried to make deals with people affected by mercury poisoning using legal documents. [] 

Symptoms of mercury poisoning in humans: 1.Psychological Disturbances: angry fits, short term memory loss, low self esteem, inability to sleep, loss of self-controlled, sleepiness. 2.Oral Cavity Problems: loss of bone around teeth, darkening of gums, taste of metal, bleeding of gums 3.Digestive Tract Problems: cramps, diarrhea and other digestive problems 4.Cardiovascular Problems: weak pulse, blood pressure changes, chest pain, or feeling of pressure in the chest area <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">5.Respirotory Problems: weakness and problem with breathing, coughing persistently <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">6.Neurological Problems: headaches, shaking in various areas of body (eye lids, feet, etc.) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Poem

Nuclear energy, We live it, We need it, it powers our light, and our food People say it’s bad But they don’t know the good it can do. Coal, A living evil, A deadly life form eating away your soul, It harms us   It’s used in a train, a car, or even a bus It harms our atmosphere, Kills us all And leaves us here, In this deserted place, without a trace We can let it win It’s plaguing us, And making a din

__ ** Home base: MSHS Library area ** __
=== ** Your group is trying to raise awareness about a growing problem in the world—mercury poisoning. You have come to tell people that the carbon emissions that we are putting into the atmosphere are creating a time bomb for all of humanity. The carbon being pumped into the air by cars and by power plants is settling into the oceans and getting consumed all the way up the food chain. ** === === ** That means we are poisoning our oceans which feeds 70% of the world. You director has asked that you go to this town hall meeting and let everyone know just how deadly mercury poisoning is by giving people the cold, hard facts. The Vietnamese government wants nuclear power to continue, and they are banking that your group will vote for nuclear power as way to protect the oceans. They have given you a vote in this debate to see if you will lean that way. ** === === ** What you don’t want is that more coal burning plants get built and you want to use a bit of Vietnamese nationalism to get them to move away from building more of them like China is doing. ** ===