An environmental group wants to convince lawmakers that tougher mercury rules are needed. They tested legislators for mercury contamination. Amanda Vinicky reports:
Transcript
An environmental group wants to convince lawmakers that tougher mercury rules are needed. They tested legislators for mercury contamination. Amanda Vinicky reports:
Usually the main area under the Illinois State House dome is filled with lobbyists and lawmakers. But earlier this year a haircutter set up shop to take hair samples from several willing legislators.
Their hair was tested for mercury. Turns out, 9 out of 28 have more mercury in their systems than the federal government considers safe.
Jean Flemma is with the Mercury Free Illinois coalition. She explains why they tested politicians:
“We thought it would be an interesting representation of the public as a whole, because our representatives represent us.”
Another reason is because of their control over environmental policy. Flemma says once lawmakers see they can be affected, they’ll want to act to reduce mercury emissions from coal burning power plants and other sources.
For the Environment Report, I’m Amanda Vinicky.