Coal is naturally contaminated with mercury, and when it's burned, mercury is released into the air. People who burn coal in their fireplace contribute to methyl mercury pollution. People who use coal burning steam trains are supporting a business that creates mercury pollution.

Power Plants and Mercury

When coal is burned to generate electricity, mercury is released into the air through the smokestacks. The bulk of this mercury pollution could be eliminated with the installation of pollution-control devices.

Chemical Manufacturing and Mercury

Big mercury polluters include older mercury chlorine plants, also called chlor-alkali plants, which use mercury to convert salt to chlorine gas and caustic soda (better known as lye), which is used in soaps and detergents. More modern chlor-alkali plants use a cleaner, mercury-free technology.

Automobile Scrap and Mercury

Mercury pollution occurs when mercury-based light switches from automobiles are scrapped and melted down for recycling. As the switches melt, the mercury they contain vaporizes into the air.