The leading source of mercury pollution is coal-fired power plants (roughly 70,000 pounds of mercury per year). One of the ways to decrease that number is, of course, to conserve energy as much as possible. Another thing you can do is purchase wind credits from an American wind farm; that energy is directed to your grid, reducing the amount of electricity used from other more polluting sources like coal-fired power plants to heat your home and run your appliances.

Here is a link for more information . . . you can have monthly deductions from your bill to pay for the wind credits:

http://www.nativeenergy.com/index.html

So is the mercury naturally in the coal? Is it too difficult to remove it?

I know that acid rain comes from sulfur in coal.

Yes, mercury naturally occurs in some fossil fuels like coal, and burning it releases the mercury in the air.

I'm not familiar with the specific technologies used to control mercury emissions, but there are ongoing battles between power plants and health/environmental advocates to enforce stricter emissions standards. The older coal-fired power plants are the worst offenders, and of course they are fighting tooth and nail to prevent stricter standards, as that would entail costs on their part.

Another typical battle between monied interests and human health . . .

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I've heard that there are cancer cells near many/most coal-burning power plants (mercury causes cancer). I never researched this for myself but would love to know if it's true.

Anybody have any hard evidence on this?

I lived in England for a couple of years as a child. In those days (only 15 years ago!) they used open fires with coal as fuel source. I used to play in the shed amongst all the coal and also gather buckets for the fire. We often sat very close to the fire place as it was a huge, cold house with low heating.

Could I actually have inhaled mercury particels back in those days????