HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02131990 - S.1 TOS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra
FROMI Supervisor Nancy Fanden Costa
DATE: �`""�� �"���
February 13, 1990 CIM/
BANNING MM USE OF MERCURY IN PAINT
SUSJECTz AS A POTENTIAL HMTH RISK
;PCCIV16 REQUEST($) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) A BACKOROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECORDATION:
That the Board of Supervisors direct Mark Finucane, Health
Services Director, to contact the Centers for Disease
Control in Atlanta for a copy of their recommendation to ban
the use of mercury in paints.
That Mark report to the Board any known cases of mercury
poisoning that may have been diagnosed at Merrithew Hospital.
After receiving Mark Finucane' s report the Board may wish to
refer this matter to the Environmental Affairs Committee for
further action.
BACKGROUND:
It was reported in the Contra Costa Times on Thursday,
February 8, 1990 by the wire services, (New York) that the
case of a 4-year-old boy who became severely disabled after
inhaling mercury from paint in his home has triggered an
urgent federal investigation to find out if similar cases
are occurring elsewhere.
Apparently mercury is added to some paint products to
prevent bacterial growth and mildew. It appears that this
industrial preserver has the potential to disable and
destroy those who inhale it.
CONTINIJRD ON ATTACNMENTi X YES SIONATURE:
R11COMMtNOATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF ROAIRD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
=IDNATURE(S)
ACTION OF BOARD ON Fehruary 13, 1990 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTr OIr SUPERVISORS
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) I HZREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AY183 NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AISSENTI - ABSTAINI AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE IlOARD
OF SUPERVISOR$ ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CCs County Administrator ATTESTED /3. IP90
Health Services Director Phil$atthelor, « 0}the gold 01
Supervism and County Administrator
Mass/?•s& BY DEPUTY
CONTRA COSTA TIMES THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY 8 , 1990
Wanfing
on , merr ury
in paint
NEW YORK (AP) -- The
case of a 4-year-old boy who
became severely disabled 4iter
Inhaling mercury from paint In
his home has triggered an ur-
gent federal Investigation, to
find out if similar cases are oc.
curring elsewhere, officials said
Wednesday.
The Centers for Disease
Control In Atlanta is consider.
Ing a recommendation to ban
the use of mercury In paints to
prevent bacterial growth and
mildew. A decision could be
made as early' as next week,
said the CDC's Dr. Ruth Etzel.
"We think there is a poten.
tial for exposure and a potential
for risk," she said.
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