Mission Statement:

The Missouri Mercury Task Force is composed of representatives of governmental agencies working to reduce the potential harmful effects to citizens from mercury exposure and releases to the environment.

The task force seeks to better inform and educate the public about minimizing mercury exposure; promote the elimination of non-essential uses and safe retirement of mercury; and improve scientific understanding and environmental monitoring.

Goal 1 – Use and expand the body of scientific knowledge regarding the effects of mercury on the environment and human health.

Objective 1A - Compile and evaluate existing mercury monitoring data and use findings to improve the current data collection, comparison, and reporting.
1) Complete a study with recommendations for improving mercury monitoring to provide more consistent data and a greater understanding of the extent of the mercury contamination problem.
2) Coordinate sharing of research data among state and federal agencies.

Objective 1B – Increase knowledge of the relationship between fish consumption and human body burden
1) Complete biomonitoring project to determine correlation between fish consumption and body burden and whether adherence to fish advisories leads to lower levels of mercury in blood.
2) Disseminate findings to regulatory agencies, health departments, and the scientific community.

Objective 1C - Measure potential for mercury releases from buildings.
1) Complete a pilot study to identify sources of mercury and the potential for environmental release and human exposure in old and abandoned buildings.
2) Identify or develop and distribute best management practices for these sources.

Objective 1D - Measure potential for mercury releases from dental offices.
1) Monitor dental offices for mercury in drain traps and air.
2) Identify or develop and distribute best management practices for these sources.

Goal 2 – Educate the public on potential mercury dangers, sources of mercury, fish advisories, take-back programs, and safer alternatives.

Objective 2A – Create, maintain and publicize a Missouri mercury information clearinghouse website.
1) Compile information to be included.
2) Determine which agency will develop initial website.
3) Maintain and update website to add announcements and results of collections, new educational materials, workshop announcements, and other information.
4) Develop outreach plan for publicizing website.

Objective 2B - Develop and incorporate mercury instruction and educational materials for classroom use.
1) Develop teacher background sheet.
2) Promote college credit courses for teachers.
3) Publish article in Missouri Resources “Teachers Notebook.”
4) Publish article in Health Alert.

Objective 2C – Publish mercury articles and issue press releases.
(e.g., Missouri Conservationist, University Extension news services, general interest newsletters)

Goal 3 – Reduce potential mercury exposures and releases to the environment.
Objective 3A - Participate in regional and national efforts to identify and eliminate non-essential applications of mercury.

Objective 3B – Promote industry-sponsored take back programs for mercury products (e.g., thermostats, batteries, lamps).
Objective 3C - Implement collection programs
Objective 3D - Participate in national discussions and the development of policies regarding mercury retirement.
Objective 3E - Participate in state and national discussions for the development of policies and regulations regarding the reduction of mercury emissions from combustion.

Goal 4: Engage stakeholders in identifying mercury problems and solutions.

Objective 4A – Identify stakeholders in current focus areas and activities.
Objective 4B – Target stakeholder organizations for outreach efforts, workshops, and program implementation.

Goal 5: Develop strategic recommendations to meet the goals and objectives of the Mercury Task Force (e.g., policies, regulations, and legislation)

Objective 5A – Prepare and disseminate report.
Objective 5B – Evaluate work to date, reassess goals and objectives.