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Mercury Pollution

Big utility corporations, like Dominion Power, AEP, and others, want to continue to contaminate our fish with toxic mercury. The big utilities’ coal fired power plants are the largest single source of toxic mercury in Virginia. Already, 1 in 4 women tested in Virginia had high enough levels of mercury to put a child at risk for neurological development problems, like delayed onset of walking and talking and mental retardation. The coal fired power plants threaten the health of mothers, children, and wildlife. The good news is that today’s technology can cut mercury pollution from these coal fired power plants by more than 90 percent. Virginians should join together and tell Governor Kaine to protect the health of our children from toxic mercury pollution.

You can take action by calling Governor Kaine to let him know that you want him to clean up power plants at (804) 786-2211.

Additional Resources and Information about Mercury

Mercury Basics
Information on the health effects of mercury pollution and so much more, on the national Sierra Club's website www.sierraclub.org/mercury/.

Get Tested!
Mercury is toxic. The Sierra Club is co-sponsoring a project to raise awareness about the dangers of mercury pollution. For the non-profit rate of $25, you can order a testing kit to find out how much mercury you have in your body. When you receive your results, you will also get information about what you can do to reduce your exposure to mercury, especially important for women who want to have a baby.