SEED Coalition, Sustainable Energy and Economic Development |
Group uses theatrics to warn of mercury pollution
By Ricardo Lozano A group of environmentalists want Texans to know that thousands of pounds of mercury seep into the air every year. Karen Hadden protests mercury contamination at the Capitol Wednesday. Several of Texas´ factories ranked poorly by environmental standards. Mercury is more than just liquid in a thermometer, the group warns; it is also a by-product of coal-mining power plants in Texas. Dressed as brightly colored characters, Vicki Wolf of the Citizens' League for Environmental Action Now, and Robert Singleton of the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Coalition, acted out the effects mercury has on people. Wolf, dressed in silver to represent mercury, harassed Singleton, dressed as the Mad Hatter, who cringed in fear. "People have a certain overload for environmental issues, so it takes a little bit of theater to get their attention," said Singleton, who donned an oversized purple hat with a green polka-dot bow tie. This demonstration followed a recent report by an educational research group, which said five Texas power plants were among the top 10 biggest contributors to mercury air emissions in the nation, according to Environmental Protection Agency data. The top two spots for mercury emissions went to Texas Genco's Limestone Electric Generating Station near Waco and TXU's Monticello Steam Electric Station & Lignite Mine. Ben Carmine with Texas Genco said one of the reasons the Limestone plant was so high on the list is because it is one of the biggest plants in the state. "Mercury is a naturally occurring element, and trace amounts are found in all fossil fuels, so every time you burn fossil fuels, you will be emitting certain quantities of mercury," Carmine said. Karen Haden, executive director of the SEED Coalition, said the amount of mercury pollution in Texas is unacceptable, and her organization as well as the EPA hopes to see a 90-percent reduction by 2008. "Tens of thousands of Texas children can be at risk for mercury poisoning," Haden said, adding that symptoms could include a slow development to walk or mental retardation. Haden said that fish that absorb the mercury from the water are the leading source for mercury poisoning in humans. "The entire Gulf Coast is under a mercury advisory for king mackerel," she said. In a study of fish taken at local grocery stores, the coalition found that several varieties were over the acceptable levels of mercury. Haden said pregnant women are especially at risk. "One-in-6 women are at risk, since mercury can cross the placental barrier. The predator fish are especially high in mercury," Haden said. Carmine said even though there are no federal laws regulating mercury levels right now, Texas Genco is involved in several research studies to lessen the amount of mercury emissions. "Mercury is clearly a pollutant of concern, yet I am not aware of an instance of hearing of an affliction due to mercury," Carmine said. Drew Douglas with TXU said they have been working with the EPA and several universities to develop better emissions control technology. "We are currently working with UT's applied research laboratory in using sound waves technology to make the small mercury particles join together to form larger particles, so that they are easier to capture," he said. Douglas also said the EPA's 1997 Mercury Report to Congress stated that U.S. coal-fired power plant emissions make up 1 percent of global mercury emissions. "We recognize mercury is an issue, and we're committed to meeting any new regulations that come up," Douglas said. |
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