Coal Burning/Industrial Pollution of MERCURY
Today,
many power plants currently cause mercury to be released into our environment.
Both before and after coal is combusted, mercury becomes present in the air.
Coal-Fired
Plants are the largest contributors to mercury pollution. The EPA is scheduled
to regulate this pollution in 2004.
Each
year, an estimated 23,000 pounds (11.5 tons) of mercury is emitted into our
atmosphere as coal is purified for more efficient combustion.
Combustion
waste is a common material used in fertilizer and road building materials.
The use of this waste further releases mercury into the air.
Studies
conducted on mercury emissions from landfills suggest that the release of
this toxin could result from disposal of coal combustion wastes.
In
order to make cement, factories must reuse this combustion waste (by heating
to extreme temperatures). This results in a high amount mercury pollution.
