Tag: thermometers

Multi-State Effort Targets Mercury Pollution

A group of state legislators from the region are pushing for new laws aimed at limiting mercury pollution. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Sarah Hulett reports:

Transcript

A group of state legislators from the region are pushing for new laws aimed at limiting mercury
pollution. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Sarah Hulett reports.

The multi-state effort targets coal-fired power plants, and products that contain mercury – including
thermometers.

Wisconsin and Ohio are looking to enact stricter pollution controls on power plants than what’s
being proposed in Washington. Other states, including Michigan, are calling for a phase-out of
products that contain mercury. They also want mercury parts and switches to be removed from
cars and appliances before they’re scrapped.

Former Maryland lawmaker Leon Billings is with the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators:

“You’ve got to go at it from all perspectives. Power plants represent 30 to 40 percent of the
ambient mercury. But these other sources are significant, especially if they’re not controlled
properly.”

Mercury is a toxin that can affect the nervous system. It can be especially harmful to developing
children.

For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Sarah Hulett.

Related Links

City Bans Mercury Thermometers

Duluth, Minnesota recently banned the sale of mercury
thermometers. It’s the latest in a series of grassroots efforts to get
mercury out of the environment. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s
Stephanie Hemphill reports:

Educating Parents About Mercury

Over the years, parents have become more aware of the dangers
in their own homes. So they keep kids away from things like pesticides,
electrical cords, and plastic bags. Still, most people remain unaware of
another threat from a common household item. Ironically, it may be the
first thing you reach for when your child is sick. The Great Lakes Radio
Consortium’s Wendy Nelson reports:

Educating Parents About Mercury

Over the years, parents have become more aware of the dangers in their ownhomes. So they keep kids away from things like pesticides, electricalcords, and plastic bags. Still, most people remain unaware of another threatfrom a common household item. Ironically, it may be the first thing youreach for when your child is sick. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s WendyNelson reports: