Mercury Policy Project : In Their Own Words

What They Tell You About:

Leadership

Compass"Michael Bender is co-founder of the Mercury Policy Project, which he has directed since 1998. Over the past 12 years, Michael has worked extensively on reducing mercury uses, release, trade and exposure at the state, national and international levels."

Leadership

What They're Not Telling You

Bender's bio reads like the background of someone well-versed in the science surrounding issues of mercury and public health policy. However, what MPP fails to mention is that Bender by his own admission is not a scientist or medical expert.

While taking questions during testimony at a Food and Drug Administration hearing in 2002 Bender admitted, "... I don't have a science background."

The Tough Questions:
Why would a self-admitted science novice be a reliable source on the important and complex issues surrounding mercury and public health?