To

: Pollution Control Board

ORIGINAL

James R Thompson Center

100 West Randolph, Ste

. 11-500

Chicago, IL 60651

Attn: Mercury Docket Rule

RECEIVED

MAY

-

3 2006

Pollution

STATE OFControl

ILLINOIS

Board

I urge the members of the IL Pollution Control Board to approve the Governor's

proposal to limit mercury emissions from coal fires plants to an average of 90% for

7

each company by 2009

. I also support the provision to disallow mercury credit

trading, since Southern Illinois and the Chicago area are already "hotspots" for

mercury pollution

. Six of the top 15 lakes and streams on the strictest mercury

advisory are in southernmost Illinois

.

Studies done in Massachusetts, where mercury emissions have been greatly reduced,

have shown that mercury levels in fish are lowered when mercury pollution from coal

burning is decreased

. The latest nationwide study done by Sierra Club indicates that

as many as one out of four women of child bearing age have so much mercury in their

bodies that their children are in danger of birth defects, mental retardation and

learning disabilities

. In addition, high mercury levels have been associated with an

increased number of heart attacks in adults

.

Wildlife is also affected by mercury at levels less than half the level shown to affect

humans, resulting in less success in spawning, nesting and survival to adulthood

.

Besides the warnings to limit consumption of predator fish, hunters are now being

warned to limit their consumption of wild ducks

. We are not hunters or fishermen,

but have many friends and family who are, and with our children approaching the age

that they are learning to cultivate an appreciation for the many facets of wildlife,

from lake to table, if you will, I anticipate a sorry lesson for them if the state of

acceptable pollution levels continues

.

The technology to capture 90% of the mercury from burning coal is already available

and cost effective

. Why not implement these standards? There is so much to gain

. I

am certainly willing to pay the couple of bucks per month to protect my children, the

children of Illinois, adults and innumerable wildlife from mercury pollution

.

k \-

Tr? - n i x

art

610 South Elliott Street

Olney, IL 62450