Kirby, keynote address, summit in H.P., Illinois, 11/1/05

[Guest guest]

Hi Listmates--

I wanted to be sure that you are invited to this event that I have

been helping to plan. It promises to be a very interesting and

educational evening!! Hope you can join us! andra

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May Hosts Educational Summit on Environmental and Health Dangers of

Mercury

HIGHLAND PARK – State Rep. May (D-Highland Park) announced on

Monday that she will host a community forum on the dangers of

mercury and its presence in the environment, common household

products, and food and medicine.

" The presence of mercury in our environment and homes has always

been one of my biggest concerns, " May said. " This forum will give

the community an opportunity to hear from leading experts on mercury

and learn ways to keep themselves and their family safe from this

toxic substance. "

The forum, entitled " A Mercury Forum…Protecting Your Family Today

and Tomorrow, " will be held 7 to 9 p.m. on November 1 at the

Highland Park Country Club, 1201 Park Avenue West in Highland Park.

The keynote address will be given by Kirby, journalist and

author of the book Evidence of Harm: Mercury in Vaccines and the

Autism Epidemic, A Medical Controversy. Mr. Kirby's book has earned

him national media attention, including a debate moderated by Tim

Russert on " Meet the Press. " The agenda includes a panel discussion

lead by Deardoff, noted columnist from the Chicago Tribune.

Greene of the Environmental Protection Agency will be on hand

to discuss the presence of mercury in consumer goods and Bruce

Nilles, director of the Great Lakes Clear Air Program for the Sierra

Club, will speak about the dangers of mercury from coal fired power

plants. In addition, Dr. Anju Usman, an expert on degenerative

autoimmune disorders, allergies and autism spectrum disorders, will

address the audience.

" This event should be a real eye-opener for those who are unaware of

the terrible effects mercury exposure can have on the human body, "

May said. " This is a problem that we cannot push to the

backburner. Mercury pollution is a very real and very serious

threat. I hope this will help people understand what we can do as

individuals and as a community to keep ourselves, our children and

our environment safe. "

Mercury exposure to humans can be highly toxic. Exposure to mercury

can cause brain or liver damage, neurological disorders and has been

shown to be especially dangerous to fetuses and young children.

Though mercury is a naturally occurring element, mercury levels have

dramatically increased in the environment due to use in industrial

products and release from coal-burning power plants. This mercury

released into the environment is converted to toxic methyl mercury

due to microorganisms that live in the environment.

For more information, please call Rep. May's district office at 847-

831-5858.