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Los Angeles council approves resolution to begin push for a mercury-free city
Summary
The City Council voted unanimously to advance a resolution urging hospitals, clinics and residents to reduce and eliminate mercury-containing medical devices and household thermometers as a first step toward a mercury-free Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles City Council on Aug. 1 approved a resolution urging hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and residents to take steps toward making Los Angeles mercury-free, citing public health risks to pregnant women and children.
Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas introduced the item and called for a public hearing, saying the measure would “set the city of Los Angeles in the leadership position” on reducing mercury exposure. Several public-health experts and nonprofit leaders spoke in favor of the resolution during a brief public hearing.
Dr. Leonard Fisher, associate clinical professor of medicine at UCLA and a member of Physicians for Social Responsibility, told the council mercury “bioaccumulates in the environment” and can cause neurological harm, especially to pregnant women and young children. “Please help protect the safety of your family, your community, and our environment by doing your part to create a mercury-free Los Angeles,” he said.
Speakers also included Sandra Serrano Sul, executive director of Niños Earth Centro, who emphasized studies linking prenatal mercury exposure to developmental delays; Adam Levine, director of Health Care Without Harm for Physicians for Social Responsibility in Los Angeles, who described the resolution as a first step; Martin Schlageter of the Sierra Club; and Todd Campbell of the Coalition for Clean Air, all urging passage.
Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski and others noted the resolution follows examples set by cities such as San Francisco, which issued a similar resolution before implementing more stringent bans. Councilwoman Ruth Galanter and others asked that the measure be positioned as an initial step, with further actions—such as potential future bans—left for later consideration.
The clerk recorded the vote as 11 ayes; the item was approved forthwith.
The resolution directs city awareness and outreach and signals intent to work with hospitals and community groups on mercury reduction measures. The resolution itself and any subsequent regulations or bans were not detailed in the hearing; council members and presenters described this vote as an initial, nonbinding step to encourage institutional and household changes.
