HCM 2003 Summary

• Urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to include manganese as a criteria pollutant under national ambient air quality standards.

• Cites health risks from manganese exposure including nervous system damage, lung irritation, pneumonia, memory loss, and slurred speech, with severe cases referred to as "manganism."

• Notes the Hermosa mine in Arizona's Patagonia mountains is a proposed zinc, silver, and manganese mine included in the federal FAST-41 program.

• Acknowledges manganese is essential for electric vehicle batteries and that U.S. demand is expected to increase ninefold over the next decade, with current supplies imported from China and South Africa.

• Directs the Arizona Secretary of State to transmit the memorial to the EPA Administrator.