From: Schwetz, Bernard
Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2001 10:11 AM
To: Dockets, FDA
Subject: FW: Methylmercury Contamination of Fish, FDA Docket No.
OOP-1411/CP 1



> ----------
> From: 	klorenz31@whale-mail.com[SMTP:KLORENZ31@WHALE-MAIL.COM]
> Sent: 	Saturday, February 10, 2001 10:10:11 AM
> To: 	bschwetz@oc.fda.gov
> Subject: 	Methylmercury Contamination of Fish, FDA Docket No. OOP-1411/CP 1
> Auto forwarded by a Rule
> 
> 
> 
Bernard A. Schwetz
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857

Dear Bernard A. Schwetz,

Please help protect America's children from birth defects
caused by contaminated fish. Each year more than 60,000
children are born at risk for neurological problems
due to exposure to low-level methylmercury from seafood
eaten by their mothers, according to the National Academy
of Sciences. That number is unacceptable. 

Please act now to tighten FDA's allowable exposure
level so it is consistent with the standard that the
EPA and National Academy of Sciences recommend, and
increase the agency's monitoring and remove seafood
from the market that violates this new, tougher standard.
I support the petition by the Center for Science in
the Public Interest to take these steps.  

The FDA also should expand its advisory to pregnant
women, women who may become pregnant, and nursing mothers
to avoid eating all types of methylmercury-contaminated
fish, including tuna steaks. The FDA can publicize
the risk best by requiring clear warning labels on
packages and in stores; the FDA's weak advice to date
has not been adequate. 



Sincerely,


Kathryn Lorenz
13 Kurt's Court
Whitesboro, New York 13492