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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-09-07, Page 5s Wednesda , Se .tember 7, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 5 Community letter to the editor Betrayed .}hear editor, In the past decades, there have been a lot of controversy about vaccinating your children because of the mercury content in thimerosal, (Mercury probably the deadliest metal we have on this planet). A Targe concern now, is the amount of methylmercury found in ocean tuna, swordfish and some other ocean fish that have a high content of meth- ylmercury. (Canadian Government has set standards at anything over .5 parts per million is not fit for human con- sumption and cannot he sold to the public). More attention should have, however, been of major concern to the methyl- mercury in some of the fish from the Great Lakes. ;a Extremely high amounts of methylmercury will cause damage to the central nervous system and neurological damage, to adults and devastating effects to the unborn that is unforgivable. Problems that develop from this may pos- sibly contribute to liver damage, autism, schizophrenia, epi- lepsy, attention -deficit disorders, low IQ, or just by damag- ing the immune system, could lead to many, many diseases. There is really no end to the list. In extreme cases, these kinds of problems can lead to suicides and even more hor- rendous crimes. 'Ihe World Ilealth Organization has set standards of .05 parts per million of methylmercury in our food. Canada has set standards of .5 ppm and the United States have set standards of 1 ppm. This being said, after testing of food by our government any food over .5 ppm cannot be sold in Canada because of mercury poisoning, and no food over 1 ppm can enter United States. In the years of the 1980s, 1970s, and many years earlier, some pickerel in the south end of Lake I luron, and its tribu- taries, from Lyal Island to Sarnia were ranging, not just a lit- tle over the guide lines, but many times over the safety standards. The government not only knew, but they were responsible for the testing. For years, the Dow Chemical Co. had been dumping enormous amounts of mercury into the St. Clair River. In 1970, commercial fishing was stopped in part of Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and part of Lake 1luron, for the commercial fishing of pickerel, because of mercury pollutiaon. In 1971, the Ontario Government announced a $35,000,000 lawsuit against Dow. In 1973 Lambton county of Lake I luron was open again for the commercial sale of pickerel. These fish ended up in our fish stores, restaurants, whole- lers in 'Toronto, London, and even to schools in Flint Michigan. We trust our government to put safe food on our table, but was this food any safer than it was twenty years before this? The answer is no. These fish were at a minimum of double the standard set by United States and four times the standard set by Canada and forty times the standard set by the World Health Organization. Could these figures harm the developing brain of a fetus, that could lead to central nervous system and neurological damage, and even sui- cides or even more serious crimes? I don"t know. I am not a doctor. Joe Green Grand Bend takoaboro Advance From the tower Scott Ruddle Lakeshore Advance "The Beach Patrol is now off duty. The Patrol would like to thank you for another safe summer and hope you have a safe trip home." For 14 years I've heard that announcement on Labor 1)ay Monday and it always stirs a couple feelings in me. The first is one of, "Wow another summer donne. I need is fest.' Ihe next thought is, "Was this nary last summer on the Beach Patrol?" But the third thing that crosses my mind is what wish to address In tm, final article today. "1 hope that nobody drowns next week- end when there is no Beach Patrol on duty. Nobody will he setting up flags to advise of the chang- ing water and weather condi- tions. No Lifeguards will be sitting in the towers watching and waiting to respond. Nobody is going to whistle at you when you travel out too far, or warn you about the hazards of diving off the pier. So time to take on some personal responsibility and protect yourself. Wear a Personal Flotation Device or Lifejacket when out on the water. They come in many styles and should you fall in the water from a boat, or while fishing from the pier, they will give you the hest chance of survival. Besides, like wearing my floater coat PFI) while fall fishing because it keeps nee waren. When playing In the waves wear a wetsuit and tie the leash of your surfboard or body board on your wrist or ankle. 'Ihe wetsuit aids your buoyancy and keeps you warns. 'Ihe leash helps to pre- vent being separated from your board when you dump. This way you don't have a tough swim back in the waves and currents unaided. This fall and winter go swimming. Whether you take a swine course to learn some strokes or rescue skills (111G11LY RECOM- 1ENI)El)!), join a master's club or swim team for fitness, or just go for a splash with the kids dewing it public swine, get 111 and swim. h'1v final comment: Water is very deceiving. We are drown to it and even need it to survive. Many people meditate focusing on an image of a fiat Take without ripples, but even watching the waves can leave people with a calm peaceful feeling. On a hot day it looks so refreshing and inviting. Peo- ple slake swimming look so easy as they float effortlessly and have fun. 1 believe this is what lures the weak or non- swimmer into the water. But for all it's gifts water provides it is unforgiving for those that fail to respect the simple fact that we humans are land ani- mals. It takes Tess than a minute to drown and the out- come of poor judgment around the water is devastat- ing and final. !hope you have a great fall and maybe I'll get to write some more from the tower next summer. Stay close and stay safe. 1)o you have any com- ments or questions? !lave you enjoyed the articles? Please e-mail the Lakeshore Advance and let nee know. Thedford Shuffleboard Club The Medford Shuffleboard Club started up last week at the new Legacy Centre, The Club that has began in 1984 invites you to john them as a former player or wel- comes you as a new player. Every Monday at 1 p.m. you can enjoy an afternoon of fun and fitness. The equipment Is supplied and you don't need experience. All ages are welcome. 'There will be an open tournament on Septennber 19 with players from throughout Ontario. It is a draw mixed doubles. Registration is at 8 a.m. For more information regarding the Club or the tour- nament call Dan Stewart atr 519-243-1934. • Wt;il;unli. to GRAND BEND 11 —41011111 "The Beach Patrol is now off duty. The Patrol would like to thank you for another stn fe summer and hope you harm? a safe trip home."