Mercury- our children's inheritance In Ezekiel 47:9-13, God speaks of the fresh water, the bounty of fish, and the fruits of the trees that will be shared with the 12 tribes of Israel as an inheritance for future generations. Today, because of our thirst for energy, a number of waterways are polluted with mercury from power plants. This mercury ends up in the fish we eat and can pass from mother to child in the form of breast milk. Mercury also bioaccumulates, meaning that when a small fish is eaten by a bigger fish, mercury becomes ten times more toxic. As it moves up the food chain to us and to a mother’s breast milk, the toxicity continues to increase each step of the way. Mercury poisoning is linked to slower mental development in children. In fact, the Environmental Working Group produced a study showing the links between mercury poisoning and autism and other developmental disorders. Click here to read the report. Our current choices for energy leave an unhealthy, hollow bounty for future generations. While many us remain dependent on mercury for our electricity, we can make some choices that are less poisonous for God’s creation and God’s children. By switching traditional incandescent bulbs in our homes and houses of worship for compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) we can be a guiding light for a cleaner, healthier world. CFLs produce about 40% less mercury than incandescent bulbs. It is still important to properly dispose of CFL bulbs with a local hazardous waste company as they do contain a small amount of mercury (4mg), but they last far longer and use far less energy than the traditional incandescent bulb. We are prayerful that scientists will invent an energy efficient option that is an alternative to mercury, and that politicians and businesses will make it affordable to the poorest in our nation. Until then we encourage you to use CFLs and to inquire into alternative energy sources through your electric utility company. These options will cause the least harm to our bodies and to creation. Visit the links below to learn more. What we can do Avoid eating fish while pregnant or breast feeding. Pocket guide to eating seafood Download a fact sheet on mercury free alternatives Continue to use Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs State by state incentives for using renewable energy sources Learn More Mercury-Free Minnesota Michigan Network for Children’s Environmental Health EPA website on CFLs NCC Eco-Justice Resource: Bottom Line Ministries that Matter: Congregational Stewardship with Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Technologies Read more about other environmental health topics Environmental Health- Home Toxics Environmental Justice and Health Children’s and Women’s Health Pesticides Our daily Bread- Food and Health Plastics Mercury- Our Children’s Inheritance Air Quality Flame Retardants Take Action!