Stephen F. Austin State University

A symposium regarding mercury contamination in the environment will be hosted by the Stephen F. Austin State University student chapter of the National Association of Environmental Professionals Student Chapter from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1in the Forestry Building Room 117.

Dr. Debra Cherry, a physician with the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, will present an overview of mercury toxicology with an emphasis on human heath. Gary Spicer, water programs coordinator for TXU Power, will discuss the introduction of mercury to an aquatic environment as it pertains to the transformation and bioaccumulation mechanisms of mercury. Research projects at the Alcoa site in Point Comfort and Port Lavaca, Texas, will be discussed by Dr. Bob Taylor, professor of trace element research for the Department of Veterinary and Integrative Bioscience at Texas A&M University. Taylor also will discuss different methods of measurement in a scientific laboratory.

Beginning at 1 p.m., Jason Paul, an environmental specialist for the East Texas district of Allied Waste, will discuss the distribution of mercury in an East Texas coal seam. Rama Yadav, representing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, will discuss the solid waste aspects of mercury, and Luke Metzger, representing the Texas Public Research Interest Group, will discuss pending legislation pertaining to mercury limits and advisories. A panel discussion will begin at 3 p.m.

The symposium is free and open to the public. A lunch to be served by Mike's Barbeque House is available for $7. For more information, call (936) 468-3301.