This is in response to an article that appeared in the Sun Journal Feb. 9 – “Court strikes down federal emissions policy.” Mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants are a serious threat to the health of the nation and the environment. The federal government and many states are clamping down on power plants.

Meanwhile, another source of mercury pollution – chlorine manufacturing – goes virtually unnoticed.

There are only four chlorine plants in the United States that will continue to use mercury in their processes. Despite the small number of plants, their impact is large: the average chlorine factory emits four times more mercury than the average power plant. Newer, mercury-free technology is already producing 90 percent of America’s chlorine. This technology is better for the environment and business as well. In fact, membrane-cell technology is typically 25 percent more energy efficient than mercury cells, and most of the costs associated with an upgrade can be recovered within five years.

Finally, Congress is taking note. Senate bill S1818 would eliminate mercury use in chlorine production by 2012. If passed, this bill would single-handedly eliminate more than 1.5 tons of mercury air pollution every year.

Hopefully Sen. Olympia Snowe and Sen. Susan Collins will co-sponsor that bill to better protect public health and the environment.

Jacqueline Savitz, Washington, D.C.,

Senior director, Campaign to Stop Seafood Contamination