Only if you mind the symptoms (which read like a prescription drug disclaimer) that can, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, “develop gradually with chronic low-level exposure.” Symptoms include: insomnia, sore and swollen gums, loose teeth and tremors of the hands, eyelids and lips among others. But, that’s not all! The site also states those who are exposed to high levels of mercury can expect brain and kidney damage, and so can their unborn children.
What constitutes a “high level” of mercury? According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, high levels of mercury are measured in micrograms. But, don’t worry, the hand tremors won’t begin until exposure reaches 26 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
Mercury also happens to be one of 60 toxins Duke Energy admits will be released into the air by their new Cliffside coal plant, located 55 miles from the Queen City in Rutherford County, according to the North Carolina Conservation Network. The group is urging citizens to contact Gov. Bev Perdue and encourage her to “direct the Division of Air Quality to correctly identify Cliffside as a ‘major’ source of pollution for mercury and other toxins.”
Until recently, Duke Energy admitted to the DAQ that their new Cliffside plant would emit almost 220 tons of air pollutants, including mercury, each year. They recently revised that estimate to 25 tons, even though no changes have been made to the plant.
Why would they do that? Because if they only release 25 tons of pollutants each year the pollution is considered “minor” and allows them to bypass the Clean Air Act.
“The nervous system is very sensitive to all forms of mercury,” claims the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They also report that mercury is most harmful when in vapor form because, once inhaled, more of it is likely to reach the brain.
For more mercury facts from the NCDHHS, click here.
This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 3, 2009.
