TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Michigan ranks 10th in the
volume of mercury released into the air by electric power plants,
according to federal statistics released by an environmental group
Thursday.
Environment Michigan said Michigan plants emitted 2,253
pounds of mercury in 2010. By far the nation’s biggest mercury polluter
was Texas, followed by Ohio and Pennsylvania.
In Michigan, the
biggest source of airborne mercury was the Detroit Edison Monroe Power
Plant, which released 660 pounds. Ranking second and third were two
plants in St. Clair County — Detroit Edison Belle River with 335 pounds
and Detroit Edison St. Clair with 236 pounds.
Rounding out the top
five were the Detroit Edison Trenton Channel plant in Wayne County with
172 pounds and the J.H. Campbell plant in Ottawa County with 165
pounds.
The numbers came from the Toxics Release Inventory, a
database maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It
consists of statistics reported by power plants and others that emit air
pollution.
Mercury is a powerful toxin that can damage human
nervous systems. It is particularly dangerous for children, who can
suffer deficits in verbal skills, attention and motor control and lower
IQs.
The primary means of mercury exposure is eating contaminated
fish. Mercury that falls into lakes and streams can be converted into a
form that builds up in fish as it moves up the aquatic food chain.
EPA is expected next month to set limits on emissions of mercury and other toxins from power plants.
"It’s
time to protect our health and clean up this dangerous source of
pollution," said Michelle Hesterberg, a field associate for Environment
Michigan.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.