Us Welliver Art Links Search Privacy Reducing Mercury Pollution in Maine Maine legislators should take action to reduce mercury pollution and protect water quality. Mercury is a highly toxic chemical Mercury damages the human nervous system. The growing brains of babies are extremely sensitive to mercury s toxic effects.
Mercury exposure hurts the ability of children to pay attention, remember, talk, draw, run and play.
This may increase the number of children who struggle to keep up in school and who might require remedial classes or special education. All Maine waters are polluted with mercury To protect children s health, pregnant or nursing women and young kids are advised to avoid eating most freshwater fish and some seafood by the Maine Bureau of Health. Because of mercury pollution, all Mainers are advised to restrict fish consumption from lakes, rivers and coastal waters. Maine wildlife is threatened by mercury pollution Common loons throughout the state are suffering reduced reproductive success associated with high levels of mercury contamination. Incineration of mercury-containing products that are tossed in the trash and burning of coal in power plants both emit large amounts of mercury.