Health Effects

Radioactive Contamination

India's generation of children crippled by uranium-contaminated coal waste. UK Guardian/Observer, August 30. Investigation uncovers link between dramatic rise in birth defects in Punjab and pollution from coal-fired power stations. More

Mercury Found in the Blood of One Third of American Women
UCLA Study Finds Dramatic Increases Since 1999

The level of inorganic mercury in the blood of American women has been increasing since 1999 and it is now found in the blood of one in three women, according to a new analysis of government data for more than 6,000 American women. More

Study Reveals Mercury Contamination in Fish Nationwide

Scientists detected mercury contamination in every fish sampled in 291 streams across the country, according to a U.S. Geological Survey study.About a quarter of these fish were found to contain mercury at levels exceeding the criterion for the protection of people who consume average amounts of fish, established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. More than two-thirds of the fish exceeded the U.S. EPA level of concern for fish-eating mammals.

How Mercury Emissions Reach Tuna and Other Seafood

A new landmark study documents for the first time the process in which increased mercury emissions from human sources across the globe, and in particular from Asia, make their way into the North Pacific Ocean and as a result contaminate tuna and other seafood. Because much of the mercury that enters the North Pacific comes from the atmosphere, scientists have predicted an additional 50 percent increase in mercury in the Pacific by 2050 if mercury emission rates continue as projected.

Pollution and Environmental Damage
Power plants are the largest uncontrolled source of mercury by far‚ responsible for approximately 30 percent of the country's emissions. Amazingly, power plants are the only major mercury polluters yet to be regulated under federal clean air standards. (US PIRG)

The coal industry has increased its CO2 output by 20 percent since 1990.

"Women of childbearing age are discouraged from eating more than two to three servings a week of shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tile fish, or albacore "white" tuna." Harvard School of Public Health and a controversial EPA ruling on mercury underestimates the risks, according to the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis.

Mercury, a highly toxic substance that can poison wildlife and cause brain and nervous system damage in children and fetuses, is a difficult issue for several reasons. Also, 40 percent or more of the mercury polluting the US comes from abroad - mainly coal-burning power plants in places like China.

National Campaign Against Dirty Power
Information on mercury

Colorado Department of Health and Environment
Mercury warnings for fish