Mercury pollution is a problem that has been ignored for many years. It is a dangerous substance, mercury is released from three main sources: coal-fired power plants, industrial, and municipal and medical incinerators, that poses health problems when exposed to humans. Mercury is both a local and global pollutant. Resulting from the combustion processing of cal waste incinerators.

Because of the dramatic increases in mercury emissions since the beginning of the industrial age, mercury’s presence in the environment has increased. Mercury in the atmosphere typically falls in two ways: precipitation and particulate matter. It then enters the food chain in aquatic systems. Organisms, mostly bacteria, in aquatic systems process the mercury into a form that is digestible by other organisms, like fish. Mercury concentrations build in the aquatic food chain, therefore, large predator fish and bottom feeders have the highest levels of mercury.2 When humans eat these fish and/or consume fish frequently, their health is threatened. As a result, fish consumption advisories have been issued by government agencies to warn people of the presence of this dangerous substance in fish. These advisories are designed to protect human health.

Lakes in Indiana are being contaminated by mercury that falls from the atmosphere, i.e. atmospheric deposition. Indiana is the fourth largest producer of mercury emissions from power plants in the U.S., producing about 2.5 tons of mercury each year.2 While it is impossible to determine the exact source of each molecule of mercury deposited in a lake or stream, this report focuses on lakes selected for their proximity to coal-fired power plants and presents strong evidence that these plants are major contributors to mercury contamination. These conclusions are based on mercury emission source locations, weather patterns, and air deposition estimates.

Mercury contamination poses risks for many people. People who rely on fish for food, mothers, children, and recreational anglers are most at risk. The health problems effects, loss of motor and speech skills, much like the effects of a stroke. Children’s developmental processes, including memory, language, coordination, and attitude are impaired by the presence of mercury. Further, pregnant and breast-feeding mothers can pass mercury along to their child. While the mother may not be immediately affected, the child may exhibit signs of poisoning. Adults can also store mercury in their bodies.8 This is why there are special warnings for women of child-bearing years and why the general fish consumption advisory exists.

Indiana’s economy benefits greatly from fishing. Economic revenue from fishing and related activities soared over $1.5 billion in Indiana during 1996. 10 Anyone who depends on fishing for a living and people who own bait shops or fishing equipment supply stores should be aware of the advisories and why they exist.

This report is different from other recent nationally released mercury reports in one significant way: it highlights a few Indiana lakes where the only likely source of mercury contamination is from the air. Two types of lakes were chosen for examination: 1) human-made reservoirs that have been constructed in the recent past; and 2) natural lakes that are located at higher elevations on their respective watersheds, and therefore have fewer and shorter tributaries that could be the source of upstream mercury contamination.

Because mercury persists in the environment and poses serious health threats there should be higher standards for monitoring and reducing mercury emissions. This report points out problems in how government policy addresses the mercury pollution problem; why it is hard to make coal-fired industries responsible for mercury; problems with the fish consumption advisories; and recommends solutions. This report supports controlling mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. It is one of the most cost effective ways of reducing mercury in the environment, ensuring clean air, reducing the need for fish consumption advisories, and making it safe to enjoy fishing.

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