Illinois
is ranked 4th in the nation of having the most severe mercury levels
along with the highest risk to our health. Our children are suffering
because of high levels of mercury pollution in our air and water.
Research shows that constant exposure to mercury in early stages
of development causes permanent neurological and brain damage.
As if
that wasn't bad enough, coal fired power plants produce 60% of the
mercury pollution in our state of Illinois. 52 waterways which is
roughly 100% of the waterways in Illinois are contaminated with
mercury. This pollution is not only seeping into our water and contaminating
the fish we eat, but it's also being released into the air and affecting
the air we breathe.
It's
time to act!
How did
we get to this point where the safety of our children is at such
great risk? In the 1970s coal fired plants were grandfathered into
the Clean Air Act. This means that a loophole was created to allow
harmful plants to avoid complying with the pollution control regulations
mandated in the Clean Air Act. Currently, very little is being done
to protect our children from these old plants that release dangerous
levels of mercury into our air.
It's time
we stand up and demand more from our government. Sign our petition
and let your elected officials know that you demand that they require
companies to have tighter controls on the amount of mercury they
release into our environment.
