An Environmental Pollutant for Decades
For decades, mercury pollution has quietly built up in Florida’s air and water, leaving its mark on the fish we catch, the wildlife that depend on them, and even the health of our families. While mercury occurs naturally in the environment, the biggest threat to Floridians today comes from coal-fired power plants. These facilities release mercury into the air, where it travels long distances before eventually falling back to the ground. Rain carries it into our rivers, lakes, and wetlands, where it enters the food chain.
From Smokestacks to Dinner Plates
On its own, mercury isn’t what makes people sick. Once it reaches the water, however, bacteria convert it into methylmercury, a powerful neurotoxin. This form of mercury builds up in fish and becomes more concentrated as it moves up the food chain. That’s why large, top-predator fish such as largemouth bass, bowfin, and gar often contain the highest levels.
For many Floridians, fishing isn’t just a pastime; it’s a tradition and, for some families, a vital source of food. But eating too much contaminated fish can put your health at risk. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued “do not eat” advisories for certain fish in waterways across the state due to dangerous mercury levels.
The Risks to People and Wildlife
Florida has some of the highest recorded methylmercury levels in the United States. Scientists have detected high concentrations not only in fish but also in dolphins, alligators, raccoons, and other wildlife that feed on fish. The toxin damages the brain and nervous system, and children are especially vulnerable. In fact, mercury exposure during pregnancy and childhood has been linked to learning difficulties, memory problems, and delayed development.
This isn’t just an issue for environmentalists; it’s about protecting families, traditions, and Florida’s way of life. Whether you’re catching fish for dinner, teaching your kids to cast a line, or simply enjoying our state’s natural resources, mercury contamination puts those experiences at risk.
What Can Be Done
Mercury pollution is not inevitable. Solutions exist, but they require action:
- Limit pollution at its source. Stricter emissions controls for coal plants can reduce mercury in the air and water.
- Stronger protections. Enforcing and updating state and federal standards ensures safeguards for both people and wildlife.
- Personal responsibility. Choosing non-toxic alternatives in our daily lives, staying informed about local fish advisories, and filtering household drinking water are steps individuals can take.
Clean air, safe fish, and healthy children should not be partisan issues. They’re fundamental to protecting Florida’s future. By holding polluters accountable and making informed choices, we can reduce mercury exposure and safeguard our families, our wildlife, and our traditions for generations to come.
Recommended Reading
- FDEP: Mercury for the State of Florida
- FDEP: Mercury TMDL for the State of Florida
- FWC: Fish Mercury and Human Health Advisories
- PubMed: Metal levels in tissues of Florida gar
- ScienceDirect: Heavy metal pollution from phosphate rock