The Risk Team will:

• answer the guiding questions listed below;
• prepare and deliver a five minute presentation to the hearing

Reviewing the current science on the impacts of mercury pollution on public health and ecosystems.

During the presentation the speaker(s) should focus on the most important concerns of the groups that have hired them. After each presentation members of the Congressional Committee can ask a maximum of THREE QUESTIONS.

Guiding Questions

1. What is mercury? Include the dictionary definition with examples. Give the scientific explanation of why the chemical is harmful and how the common understanding differs from the scientific understanding of the contaminant.

2. What are the known concentrations of mercury in the air, surface and ground water, soil, and other media in Ramford?  Where are the high concentrations of mercury found in Ramford?  What are the reasons for the relative concentrations?  What are the sources of mercury (e.g. point, non-point, historical) nationally and internationally?  Are there changes in concentration over time?  What is the mercury effect based on activity and concentration in Ramford?

3. Explain the timeline for the human use of mercury, the discovery of its effects and the policy concerning mercury both in Ramford County and elsewhere. Cite case studies concerning policy.

4. What is the evidence (laboratory, field) to support a threat to human health from mercury? What is the degree, extent and severity of the threat? What are the chemical, physiological and behavioral effects?  Are their recommended ways to reduce risk?

5. How do socio-economic factors affect exposure in general and in Ramford county?  What is a safe level - in the environment and food - in humans and other species?  How would you communicate to and educate the public?  cite case studies that support your discussion.

6. What communities are most at risk in Ramford and in selected case studies?  What are the factors behind the different levels of risk (employment, lifestyle, culture)? How would you prioritize and reduce the risk in different communities?