Congressional Bill Would End Mercury Use in Chlorine Plants

A U.S. House subcommittee has approved a measure that would require chemical plants manufacturing chlorine and caustic soda to stop using mercury.

Olin Corporation in Augusta is one of a handful of plants that uses mercury to make chlorine.

Supporters of the measure say that technology is outdated and harmful to the environment.

Olin, meanwhile, says its manufacturing process is safe.

Mercury is toxic, and can cause neurological problems in both children and fetuses.

For more information about the bill, click here.

Olin Corporation mercury remediation plan drawing controversy

Environmental groups in Georgia worry that a plan to contain mercury at a chemical plant might be dangerous.

Olin Corporation in Augusta uses mercury to produce chlorine.

Mercury is toxic, especially to a fetus.

Company officials say it's in the sediment of a drainage canal at the plant.

In an effort to contain the mercury, they want to cover the canal with a special plastic material, soil and grass, and close the mouth of the canal with a double steel sheet piled wall.

They then want to use an existing pipe to discharge wastewater with mercury into the Savannah River.

But some environmental groups worry that the plan would only shift contamination to sediment in the river, making the situation worse.

"The microorganisms in the sediments convert that mercury to methyl mercury...The methyl mercury works its way up the food chain...and it contaminates the fish...so eating the fish is the problem," said Frank Carl, director of the Savannah Riverkeeper.

Olin says it plans to discharge only a third of what the federal government considers a safe level of mercury.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division is reviewing Olin's mercury remediation plan, which a company offcial say is voluntary.

Spotlight on chlorine plant's mercury emissions

A Georgia chlorine plant is on an environmental group’s list of worst mercury polluters. Washington-based Oceana says Olin Corporation’s Augusta plant gives off more mercury than coal-fire power plants. The group works to stop seafood contamination. However, Olin says the company meets all regulations on mercury emissions.