North Carolina Power Plants Emit 8th Most Mercury Pollution Nationally

[BLUEDIAMOND64]

Very informative information and enlightening to say the least.

[XcapefromNJ]

Here is an article that lists the states and the pounds of mercury pollution produced in 2009. Note that it is total mercury, not total per square mile, so Texas is #1 at 16,350 but Texas is a huge state so they probably claim its not so bad if you look at pounds per square mile. Looking at this list, Ohio is clearly worse, but I wouldn't say the problem only resides at the top 3 or 4 on the list. I think Duke could be doing a much better job in reducing Mercury emissions into the air. Maybe a few more $millions in that direction, and just a few less $millions for Rogers. I don't want to send him to the poor house... just a few less $millions.


State ranks 8th in mercury pollution from power plants | Huntersville Herald

States emitting the most mercury pollution
Rank State Pounds*
1 Texas 16,350
2 Pennsylvania 15,550
3 Ohio 9,518
4 West Virginia 6,795
5 Indiana 6,046
6 Kentucky 5,930
7 Illinois 4,973
8 North Carolina 4,702
9 Alabama 4,324
10 Michigan 4,012
*Pounds of mercury pollution
produced in 2009




and...

Out of the 16 coal-fired power plants in the state, Marshall Steam Station on Lake Norman ranks third for the amount of mercury it releases.

There has been a recent advisory against eating fish caught in Lake Norman, but the problem is PCBs, not mercury.

[brokensky]

Originally Posted by BLUEDIAMOND64

Ok Ani, now you are really scaring me. We are boaters, so are you saying not to go for a dip. LOL, I am not a home owner of water's edge. Ok, help me out!!! Is it ok to tube and take a quick dip? This is something we never considered. Thanks Ani

Well, the plant is highly regulated and inspected, as is the water.

My personal feeling is . . . I don't like swimming in any lake b/c of various microbes that can cause sinus/ear infections. Now, understand, I grew up near/on a lake, lol. But my family didn't spend time IN the water . . . Boating was a wonderful way to enjoy the lake and is still one of my favorite summer activities (just dont have a boat right now).

I have never eaten fish out of that lake but I bet the stuff I buy has as many pollutants (or more!) than anything in LKN!

Love to fish but I am a catch-and-release kind of gal. The only fish I catch and eat are from mountain streams-Nothing like a fresh trout! But that is a rare treat.

I truly enjoy sitting in a comfortable spot and gazing out over a body of water. It is pure relaxation to me. I don't think anyone is in peril who lives around the lake . . . but I don't feel the need to jump into the lake or eat fish from it.

No reason we shouldn't enjoy our lakes! But it isn't a pristine glacial lake, lol.

[BLUEDIAMOND64]

Ani, I agree with you and I enjoyed reading your post. I am not an Esther Williams, but I do enjoy jumping in to get cooled off on really hot days and I enjoy tubing (during the week). I also find that water is relaxing and even if I spend time on the docks I enjoy the fresh air and the outdoors. Not much into fishing. Hubby is, but does catch and release. The area is gorgeous.

[spankys bbq]

You're going to be fine swimming. I'd be more worried about getting pee on me than mercury. I'm almost convinced that Lake Norman has a near-measurable alcohol content from May to October.