Testing Cuts Blind Louisianans to Mercury Contamination in Water, Fish

"Seven years after the end of a much-lauded program to monitor mercury in Louisiana’s waterways, state officials lack updated data to warn people about any potential contamination in the fish they catch and eat.

The state Department of Environmental Quality made reducing mercury pollution, particularly in water bodies, a major priority from 2004 to 2008. Bolstered by financial support from the Legislature, the agency ramped up a program not only to test soil, water and fish samples across Louisiana but also to educate the public about the hazards of mercury contamination.

But that all ended in 2008, when DEQ shelved the program amid a push by newly elected Gov. Bobby Jindal to force cuts across various state agencies."
 
Amy Wold  reports for the Baton Rouge Advocate July 27, 2015.