Pennsylvania reports 1,451 pounds of mercury collected in 2005
 
Jan. 25

Some 1,451 pounds of mercury were collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection´s six regional offices in 2005, the agency said.

The mercury was collected through a variety of programs to reduce the dangers of the neurotoxin, the DEP said.

The six regional offices, since 1997, have collected almost 17,000 pounds of elemental mercury from schools and homes, the agency said.

"This is important because our children are at risk," DEP Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. "Babies born each year can suffer learning disabilities and impaired motor function, memory and vision problems due to the high levels of mercury in their bloodstream."

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