 The Columbus Dispatch
Michael Hawthorne In a decision that could lead to more pollution controls for coal- burning power plants, a panel of scientists yesterday signed off on federal standards intended to protect the public from mercury poisoning. The 10-member panel, convened by the National Academy of Sciences at the behest of Congress, concluded that most Americans face low health risks from the toxic substance. But children of women who eat a lot of fish during pregnancy face a much higher risk. Low-level mercury poisoning causes neurological problems that can lead to learning disabilities for 60,000 U.S. newborns annually, according to the panel's report. "Because of the beneficial effects of fish consumption, the long-term goal needs to be a reduction in the concentrations of (mercury) in fish rather than a replacement of fish in the diet by other foods," the report concludes. Mercury is a naturally occurring, long-lasting substance that accumulates in the body over time. Previous reports by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have concluded that coal-fired electric-power plants are the largest sources of mercury emissions.
Power plants emit about 52 tons of mercury each year. Of that amount, plants owned by Columbus-based American Electric Power are responsible for about 6 tons, according to information the company provided to the EPA. The substance is released into the air when coal is burned and settles in rivers and lakes, where it works its way up the food chain. High concentrations have been found in fish, leading to a statewide consumption advisory in Ohio. Unlike other contaminants that can be eliminated or reduced by removing the fatty parts of fish, mercury levels cannot be reduced by trimming because the substance binds to the meat. Utilities have fought attempts to regulate mercury emissions. The companies contend they are responsible for a tiny percentage of worldwide emissions and don't have the technology to meet federal standards. "We don't have a good feel for what happens to mercury when we burn coal," Dale Heydlauff, AEP's senior vice president for environmental affairs, said during an interview last month. "Even if we stopped burning coal, which isn't feasible, we wouldn't make much of a dent in mercury emissions." Congress blocked the EPA from regulating mercury emissions two years ago pending the review by the National Academy of Sciences. Yesterday's report concluded that studies used by the EPA to establish maximum exposure levels are "scientifically justifiable...for the protection of public health." The report also called for more study of regional differences in mercury exposure, and among populations that eat a lot of fish. Environmentalists said the report supports their call for tougher regulations of coal-burning power plants. "It shows that mercury is a real health problem for Ohioans," said Kurt Waltzer, air-quality manager for the Ohio Environmental Council. "We need to take steps now to clean it up." Back to Ohio state page
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