Stop Mercury Contamination in Streams!
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson
A recent study done by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) showed that 100 percent of the 291 freshwater fish tested contained mercury contamination. Of these, 66 percent had levels higher than the "level of concern" set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
This strikingly high number sets a new standard for how concerned Americans should be about mercury in fish. Mercury can have devastating effects on young children, but in high levels can also affect older adults.
Mercury pollution occurs almost entirely from air-born emissions, primarily burning coal. We need to stop this pollution at the source before we start to see improvements in contamination levels.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for regulating industrial mercury from factories and plants. Please tell EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson that mercury levels should be strictly regulated. We can't get much worse than 100 percent.
Dear EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson,
A recent study done by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) showed that 100 percent of the 291 freshwater fish tested contained mercury contamination. Of these, 66 percent had levels higher than the "level of concern" set by the EPA.
This causes enormous concern about the safety of our food. Currently the FDA is monitoring mercury levels in commercially-sold fish, but I want to see this trend come to an end, from the source of the contamination. It is time we did away with coal-fired power plants.
It is clear that the U.S. takes issue with coal power. Its recent opposition to a World Bank loan to South Africa for a coal power plant shows this. But how can we continue to use coal power and yet criticize other nations that use it?
I am concerned about the safety of my food and the health of my streams. Please do more to move us away from coal power and into a cleaner energy future.
Thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
[Your name]
