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May 6, 2008 4:50 pm US/Central
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Doctors: Group's Mercury Tests May Be Misleading
Marianne Martinez
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
Recently, an environmental group offered free tests for mercury as a warning of its dangers.
The Sierra Club was trying to draw attention to lawsuits they filed against coal plants, which emit mercury into the air that eventually ends up in our water and fish.
"We're trying to indicate that there's a definitely a problem with mercury in the environment from coal power plants," said Dr. Neil Carman, Sierra Club.
They tested women to see if they have mercury in their bodies.
However, Dr. Kelly Wouters of Armstrong Forensic Laboratory said the hair test is not reliable. Blood and urine tests are more accurate indicators.
"Using hair to test what's already in your body is an inaccurate way of doing things. First of all, your hair is dead cells... there is no blood supply to your hair," said Dr. Wouters.
But when the Sierra Club was asked about the validity of the test, this was their response:
"I think Sierra Club always has a disclaimer that this is just a sample test," said Wendi Hammond, an attorney for the Sierra Club. "If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor about it."
Doctors say large amounts of mercury can be harmful to developing fetuses, but it doesn't hurt most of us.
"All of us have a low level of mercury in our bodies. It's not harmful and it's not toxic," said Dr. Kelly Wouters, Armstrong Forensic Lab.
Doctors at Armstrong Labs say even people who are exposed to higher than average amounts of mercury don't have high levels of it in their blood stream.
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