| Electric utilities have applied for the permits they | | | | passed on to the fetus. These toxins can also be |
| need to build new coal burning power plants in | | | | passed through breast milk, effecting newborns |
| south Georgia, and local families have every | | | | as well. |
| reason to be concerned. Already, we live with the | | | | That all sounds grim, and it is, but right now, with |
| pollution from the plants we have: There are | | | | the exception of a few areas in coastal Georgia, |
| government warnings about the consequences of | | | | it's safe and healthy for adults and children to eat |
| eating too many fish, too often. | | | | crabs, shrimp, flounder, and other seafood a few |
| If the new power plants are built, it will make a | | | | times a month. But if we want to keep it that |
| bad situation worse. Coal burning power plants | | | | way, we need to stop the spread of coal burning |
| produce many different kinds of pollution, but | | | | power plants in south Georgia. |
| mercury is the most dangerous for people and | | | | There are three ways for Georgians to make a |
| animals. Mercury is a heavy metal, and it is toxic | | | | difference and protect their families from |
| to humans -- particularly children, even in small | | | | mercury. |
| amounts. | | | | Step #1: Get the facts about mercury pollution. |
| You might be surprised to learn that coal burning | | | | The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has |
| power plants produce more mercury pollution in | | | | published comprehensive guidelines for how to eat |
| Georgia than any other source - more than 60% | | | | local seafood safely. |
| of the total. Coal power plants release mercury in | | | | Step #2: Conserve energy at home. If enough of |
| fine particles into the atmosphere. Those particles | | | | us do our part, simple steps like turning the lights |
| return to earth with the rain and snow, entering | | | | off in empty rooms or when leaving the house, |
| ground water and wells. In this way, air pollution | | | | or using energy-efficient light bulbs, add up to |
| can easily become water pollution. | | | | make a big difference in the amount of electricity |
| Once this pollution makes its way into streams, | | | | that south Georgia uses -- and how many coal |
| lakes, and even the ocean, it becomes part of | | | | burning power plants we need. We can also |
| the food chain. Little bugs in the water eat the | | | | reduce the amount of mercury that's already |
| decaying leaf matter and take up the mercury; | | | | making its way into the rivers and start to clean |
| little fish eat bugs, larger fish eat the smaller fish. | | | | up mercury pollution. |
| It takes a while for the fish to get rid of the | | | | Step #3: Send a message. The Ogeechee |
| mercury after they eat contaminated prey, so | | | | Riverkeeper, which is working to raise awareness |
| this dangerous pollutant is building up in the fish. | | | | about mercury poisoning in Georgia, has published |
| Since we tend to eat the bigger fish, we're eating | | | | an online energy saving pledge form. When people |
| the fish and seafood with the highest levels of | | | | like us sign that pledge, we're sending a message |
| mercury. | | | | to electric utilities and environmental regulators |
| South Georgia freshwater streams, such as the | | | | that we're going to do our part to keep local |
| Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers, have special | | | | water clean and unpolluted -- and we want them |
| water chemistry that converts this mercury into | | | | to do theirs and deny the permits for the new |
| its most toxic form. So, even though these | | | | power plants. |
| streams may look pristine, they are, in fact, | | | | We like to think that south Georgia is a place |
| heavily polluted with mercury from coal fired | | | | where we can enjoy fresh air and clean country |
| power plants. | | | | living. We want our children to grow up catching |
| Even low levels of mercury can cause serious | | | | fish and eating seafood caught fresh from local |
| nervous system damage, particularly in young | | | | waters. |
| children. Heavy metals can inhibit the development | | | | Right now, there is a threat to those things, but |
| of the nervous system, causing learning disabilities, | | | | it's not too late to preserve them for future |
| erratic and aggressive behavior, and lower IQ | | | | generations. Make a difference today! Get the |
| scores when they get older. | | | | facts, conserve energy at home, and send a |
| Mercury poisoning has also been linked to mental | | | | message to power company and environmental |
| retardation, blindness, and deafness. When | | | | regulators that you don't want any more coal |
| pregnant mothers consume these toxins through | | | | burning power plants in south Georgia. |
| contaminated water or fish, those toxins are | | | | |
