Mercury
Mercury levels in some of the Great Lakes region's fish species are so high they've prompted government consumption advisories for pregnant women and young children.
Mercury, a heavy liquid metal, has proven its usefulness over the years in products as varied as thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, mechanical switches and tooth fillings. But it's a toxin that can wreak havoc on human nervous systems, particularly in children, prompting a nationwide campaign to find alternatives and rid the environment of mercury pollution.
Michigan's coal-burning electric power generators have been asked to slash airborne emissions 90 percent within nine years. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is developing a set of regulations for power companies in their quest for a 90 percent cutback.
Industry leaders prefer a mercury reduction plan announced by the Bush administration last year. It envisions a nationwide average cut of 70 percent by 2018, although some believe the fine print would give producers considerably longer.
August 22, 2006 6:53 AM | Category: Chemicals
Comments
While power plants do release a huge amount of mercury into the air, major producer of mercury air pollution in the Great Lakes region which has flown below the radar is ERCO’s Port Edwards chlorine plant in Wisconsin. Chlorine plants have been using mercury in their production for well over 100 years in the United States, but fortunately only eight of these mercury emitting plants remain. The Port Edwards chlorine plant operated by ERCO Worldwide emitted over 1,100 pounds of mercury into the air in 2004, making it not only the largest producer of mercury air pollution in Wisconsin but also the 16th largest in the country! Much of this mercury escapes through “fugitive emissions” – and then on top of that, many chlorine plans have unaccounted for mercury losses that make their way into the environment.
However, there is a solution. Newer membrane cell technology eliminates the need for mercury use in chlorine plants. Already 90% of the industry uses this technology, and if the Port Edwards plant would shift to this new technology, Wisconsin’s mercury releases would be reduced by nearly 30% and this would go a long way towards reducing mercury contamination in fish.
Posted by: Fish food at August 24, 2006 9:34 AM