Mercury poisoning is relatively rare, asthma increasingly common, but there is mounting evidence that air pollution, particularly from the burning of coal, is contributing to increases of both, especially among children. People are being told not to eat tuna fish sandwiches. Doctors are talking about the "asthma disgrace."

I believe this issue will heat up in 2006. Public health experts will raise its profile; it will be fought over in Congress; and it is likely to play a role in some Congressional races.