The program is being undertaken by the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers. Emissions of mercury, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides can be deposited close to emission sources or travel thousands of miles to coastal watersheds. The more than 150 workshop participants from across the region represented health and environmental groups, industry, the private sector, scientists, and government officials charged with implementing action plans to reduce mercury and acid deposition. They called for public education about the health impacts of mercury deposition and acid rain, for private sector involvement in acid rain reduction, and for health agencies and business and environmental groups to be more actively involved in developing a mercury reduction action plan. In October, the Acid Rain Steering Committee and the Mercury Task Force will report to the Conference on what will happen in year two.
Mercury occurs naturally, and also becomes airborne during combustion and incineration processes.
As it falls to earth it can enter coastal waters where it can become toxic to humans and animals. Mercury increases in concentration as it moves through the food chain. Acid rain occurs when nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere convert to nitric acid and other nitrogen- containing compounds that fall to earth, fertilizing coastal waters and depriving aquatic wildlife of oxygen and habitat. Acidified rainwater can also more easily dissolve potentially toxic heavy metals and deposit them in coastal estuaries in the form of runoff. Local governments working with community partners on projects to protect and improve the environment can apply.