02:04 PM PST on Tuesday, March 16, 2004

File

SEATTLE - Some Seattle-area doctors and environmentalists warn that you have just one month left if you want to make it clear you want tougher pollution laws. To help make their point, they brought mercury-contaminated fish to Seattle's waterfront Tuesday morning.

The Bush Adminstration is thinking about delaying laws requiring industries to reduce their toxic mercury emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency is accepting public comments on that idea until mid-April and doctors and environmentalists are urging you to get involved.

"Mercury is a neurotoxin, it's one of the most dangerous toxins we have in our world," said Dr. Sandy Rock of Physicians for Social Responsibility.

Mercury can cause permanent damage to developing brains and hearts, making it especially dangerous for children and pregnant women.

The Bush Adminstration says it is a financial burden to businesses to require immediate action on mercury, when the problem will be greatly reduced as other environmental laws take effect.