The Zogby survey findings come amid increasing public attention to the risks associated with the mercury. The National Academy of Sciences has found that consumption of mercury by pregnant women can cause serious neuro-developmental harm in the fetus, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration and 44 states have warned the public regarding consumption of mercury.
Despite those warnings, the new EPA rules will provide guidelines to U.S. water systems on application of technology that relies on mercury-based ultraviolet light (UV) lamps to disinfect drinking water supplies. The EPA currently is testing new mercury-free UV alternatives, and the surveys find that nearly eight-in-10 (79%) of Americans want the EPA to complete that testing and include the alternatives before implementing the new rules.