HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 4560• • ORIGINAL
RESOLUTION NO. 4560
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY or PALO ALTO
URGING IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION OF STANDARDS OF MER-
CURY CONTAMINATION OF FISH
WHEREAS, the current United States Public Health drinking
water standards specify no minimum mercury concentration in
drinking water1 and
-WHEREAS, the Regional Water Quality Control Board's present
discharge quality standards include no mercury concentration
limitation; and
WHEREAS; the Food and Drug Administration of the United
States has adopted a guidelin~ of .s part per million of mercury
for finding contamination of fish intended for human consumption,
which finding may be based on inadequate data and investigation1
and
WHEREAS, a mercury concentration of .Ol part per million in
the acquatic environment is lethal to stickleback minnow, a species
being used as a test mechanism for determining the toxicity of
waste water discharge, and this standard is one-fiftieth of the
present FDA guideline level for concentration in the flesh of
fish for human consumption; and
WHEREAS, tlle shortage of information on mercury toxicity,
recent findings of significant concentration of mercury in fish
flesh, and possible health hazards due to the presence of this
element indicate the need for further research into acceptable
mercury levels;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City
of Palo Alto most strongly urqes the Food and Drug Administration
of the United States to undertake an early and thorough review
and investigation of the matter of safe mercury levels in the
flesh of fish intended for human consumption to the end that any
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guideline adopted upon such basis shall have the entire con-
fidence of those affected thereby.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby directed
to transmit copies of this resolution to each United States
Senator from the State of California, to those members of the
United States House of Representatives representing all or any
part of the City of Palo Alto, to each State Senator and Assemblyman
representing all or any part of the City of Palo Alto, to the
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United States Food and Drug Administration, to the Departments
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of Water Resources, of Public Health, and of Fish and Game of
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the State of California, and to the Santa Clara County Flood
Control and Water District.
INTRODO:ED AND PASSED: February ZZ, 1972
AYES: UNANIMOUS
NOES:
ABSENT: Berwald
ATTEST:
CL,._$)..~
City Clet'
?,JVED AS TO FORM:
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APPROVED:
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APPROVED:
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Mayor
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