Mercury in North Carolina
Information about mercury exposure in North Carolina (summarized from DENR website).
|
Based on Centers for Disease Control data, the North Carolina Dept of Health and Human Services recently estimated that “at least 13,677 children per year” are born in NC with blood mercury levels that place them at risk for lifelong learning disabilities, fine motor and attention deficits, and lowered IQ. Mercury is emitted from a wide variety of natural and man-made sources. Generally, man-made releases of mercury result from two types of activities: combustion of coal, waste or other contaminated fuels, or production processes that involve the use of mercury. Information is provided below on the fifty largest reported sources of mercury emissions to the air in North Carolina. N.C. DENR generated these estimates using the most up-to-date information available, which for most sources was 1999 emissions data. The majority of mercury emissions nationally and in North Carolina arise from coal-fired power plants. Recently, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) embarked on an ambitious plan to require mercury testing in coal and stack emissions for many of the nation's largest coal-fired electric utility boilers. This Information Collection Request (ICR) was able to provide much more detailed and accurate information on mercury content in coal and the effectiveness of existing control technologies at removing mercury from the waste stream. The 1999 ICR estimates for mercury emissions from North Carolina coal-fired electric utility boilers are substantially lower than previous estimates from state emissions inventories. This is likely a reflection of more accurate testing data rather than improvements in mercury emissions or controls. Duke Energy is currently planning to construct a large new coal-fired powerplant at its Cliffside facility near the border between North Carolina and South Carolina. This powerplant will be a significant new source of mercury pollution in the Catawba basin. For more information about the proposed Cliffside powerplant, click here. Several other major sources of mercury emissions in North Carolina have either eliminated mercury-generating processes or reduced emissions through application of controls. For example, over the past three years several medical waste incinerators have ceased operations or added controls to reduce mercury emissions. These developments will continue to reduce mercury emissions in North Carolina and associated impacts on local and global air and water quality. Additional Information
|
Document Actions
- Upcoming Events
-
Lake Norman Covekeeper Mtg
East Lincoln Fire Department, 406 S. Pilot Knob Road, Stanley, NC,
May 24, 2012 -
Spider Lily Eco-Tour
Landsford Canal State Park, SC,
May 26, 2012 -
Mountain Island Lake Covekeepers Monthly Meeting
Cook's Presbyterian Church,
Jun 11, 2012 -
Lake Wylie Covekeeper Meeting
T-Bones on the Lake,
Jun 13, 2012 -
Lake James Covekeeper Mtg
4794 E. Shores Dr., Morganton, NC,
Jun 14, 2012
- News
-
May 21, 2012
Mercury Contamination in the Catawba
North Carolina South Carolina have advise against consuming certain types of fish in the Catawba due to mercury contamination. Most of the mercury is coming from coal-fired powerplants. -
May 21, 2012
Pharmaceuticals in the River
Small amounts of prescription and non-prescription medicines end up in our water. Help prevent pharmaceuticals from getting into the water or the wrong hands by disposing of medications properly. Catawba Riverkeeper is co-sponsoring Operation Medicine Drop events around the region.
-
May 07, 2012
2012 Mecklenburg State of the Environment Report
How’s the air out there? Is the water getting better? Are we recycling as much as we could be? According to an online Mecklenburg County survey, the verdict on all of the above, the answers are mixed, but encouraging.
-
May 04, 2012
Gaston County QNRC Cancels Coal Ash Forum
The Gaston County Quality of Natural Resources Commission (QNRC) cancelled a public forum and information session about the potential threats to drinking water from coal ash, which had been scheduled for May 3. The reasons for cancelling the forum are unclear.
-
Apr 26, 2012
Coal Ash Provision Added to Transportation Bill
Republicans in the House of Representatives added a rider to the Transportation Bill that would prevent EPA from protecting us from the dangers of coal ash. Please let your Congressional representative know that you want the EPA to be able to regulate coal ash waste.
- Alliances
-
The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare North Carolina, River Network, the North Carolina Conservation Network, and the Waterkeeper Alliance. EarthShare North Carolina makes it possible for employees to support the environment through workplace giving programs. River Network’s mission is to empower and unite people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain the health of our country. The NC Conservation Network supports, trains and coordinates diverse groups and directly advocates to achieve equitable and sustainable solutions for our environment. The Waterkeeper Alliance is a worldwide network of advocates for protection of our water resources. For more information about these organizations or to inquire about enrolling your employer in EarthShare NC, please contact CRF@catawbariverkeeper.org.
- Make a Donation
-
Your River needs you as much as you need the River
- Fish Advisories
-
Fish advisories have been issued throughout the Catawba-Wateree River basin for various types of fish. Many of these fish advisories are the result of testing initiated by Catawba Riverkeeper and confirmed by state and local officials. For a chart identifying fish types with the applicable adisories for the Charlotte area, click here. For more information about the fish advisories, click here.
- Sign Up Today!
-
Stay informed! Join our mailing list.
We won't spam you. Ever.
- Report Pollution in the Catawba River
-
Help protect your River!
Tell your Riverkeeper if you see:
- Sewage Overflows
- Failure to control sediment from construction sites
- Illegal clearing of buffer areas
- Fish kills
- Invasive aquatic species
- Exceeding Pollution Limits
- Discharges exceeding allowable limits
- Unpermitted discharges
- Other issues that concern you
Click here to fill out a pollution report or to report a spill to Catawba Riverkeeper by phone, call 1-888-679-9494 or 704-679-9494. In addition, to informing your Riverkeeper, you should also report spills or contamination to federal, state and local environmental officials.
To report South Carolina spills or fish kills call 1-888-481-0125.
To report North Carolins spills or fish kills, call 1-800-662-7956.
To report spills and releases to federal authorities (EPA and Coast Guard), call 1-800-424-8802.
- How to contact your NC Legislator
-
Sometimes you just can't get the action that is needed to protect our water without contacting your legislator. To find out who represents you in the North Carolina legislature and how to contact them, click here.
