Coal- and oil-fired power plants topped the list as the biggest air polluters in the United States and Canada.

A study done in 2001 showed that power plants contributed to nearly half of all industrial air emissions. It also revealed that 46 of the major 50 polluters were coal- and oil-fired power plants. Hydroelectric power plants weren't taken into consideration in the survey.

One environmental commissioner recommended seeking out cleaner fuels, implementing stronger conservation and renewable energy as possible solutions to the air pollution problem.

Survey on Chemical Pollution

• In 2001, it was discovered that coal- and oil-burning power plants generated 45 percent of the 755,502 tons of dangerous air toxins.
• Hydrochloric and sulfuric acids were the most frequent chemicals released as coal and oil were burned to produce electricity.
• The power plants, particularly those that used coal, made up 64 percent of all mercury air emissions.

As mercury inches its way up our food chain, it can become very toxic. Its effects are especially problematic when exposed to children because of its ability to negatively impact their neurological and developmental functions.

Even though it was reported that mercury levels dropped by 48 percent in 2001 from 2000, experts warned against the continuing buildup of mercury in lakes and streams that were entering the food chain.

Three Power Plants That Produced the Most Toxic Air

• Progress Energy's CP & L Roxboro -- Semora, North Carolina
• Reliant Energy's Keystone -- Shelocta, Pennsylvania
• Georgia Power's Bowen -- Cartersville, Georgia

The Top Three Air-Polluting States

• Texas
• Ohio
• Michigan

CNN June 2, 2004

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

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