Pollution From Coal Plants A Threat In Every Illinois River, Lake, and Pond;
"Special Mercury Advisory" Targets 13 Hotspots With Even Higher Levels

The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued a statewide warning concerning the health risks of eating certain fish caught from waters across Illinois. The warnings are based on sampling of fish caught in waters across the state and are particularly aimed at protecting children and fetuses from neurological damage.

"Unfortunately no river, creek, lake, or pond in Illinois is safe from mercury contamination from coal-fired power plants," said Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter. "We urge fishermen who take their catch home to protect their families and not serve it to children or women of child-bearing age."

The statewide warning concerning mercury contamination applies to predator fish such as bass, walleye, catfish, northern pike, and other popular sportfish. There is also a "Special Mercury Advisory" covering waters where fish "have been found to have higher levels of methyl mercury than other waters in the state".

Arrowhead Lake	Cook County
Campus Lake	(SIU) Carbondale
Cedar Lake	Jackson County
Devil's Kitchen Lake	Williamson County
Kinkaid Lake	Jackson County
Lake Bracken	Knox County
Lake In The Hills	McHenry County
Little Grassy Lake	Williamson County
Marquette Park Lagoon	Cook County (Chicago)
Midlothian Reservoir	Cook County
Monee Reservoir	Will County
Ohio River	Southeastern IL
Rock River	Northern IL

According to the warning, "The developing nervous systems of fetuses and children could be damaged if exposed to even small amounts of methylmercury." (www.idph.state.il.us)

Under existing Clean Air Act requirements, coal-fired power plants would be required to reduce their mercury emissions by 90% by 2008. The Bush Administration has proposed to drop this requirement in favor of a plan to require less reduction over a longer time period. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich dropped plans in 2004 to adopt statewide mercury limits, but has recently called on other Midwest Governor's to join in an effort to adopt a regional approach that would cut more pollution than the Bush Administration proposal.

"Our children and future children are at risk because no action has been taken to install mercury controls on coal-burning power plants in Illinois. We are counting on Governor Blagojevich to protect our kids by requiring these big polluters to clean up their act, and clean up our water," said Darin.