Some studies, many old, indicate that too high a percentage of women of child bearing age are over one of the two safe levels for mercury. The school system should ask the health insurance companies to cover voluntary testing for mercury for women of child bearing age. It should ask local doctors to include such testing for women of child bearing age. As this goes forward, know-how will emerge of how much of a problem this is in Fairfax County.
It should try to cover other women who fall through the cracks by providing testing. But it can also ask local employers to cover such testing for their employees and negotiate it with their health plans. It should ask health insurance companies on the health marketplace to include it.
Factors that tend to increase mercury levels are being in the Northeast, being near coastal waters, and higher income levels. Higher education levels may also work like higher income levels. This type of prevention can do the most for the money spent.
Safe catch is a type of canned seafood sold in local stores. It is 4 to 6 dollars a can for tuna, salmon, etc. It individually tests each fish and has a much lower level of mercury required. It is more expensive, but clearly people are buying it. So people are concerned about this in Fairfax County. Mercury testing is something they have shown they would like since they spend extra money out of a precaution.
The testing should cover everyone, but women of child-bearing age are a priority. This is type of testing may provide the most education return of any dollars spent.
