Heavy Metal: Bad enough on the radio, even worse in Jacksonville's food supply

The next time you take a bite out of a juicy orange you picked off a tree in your backyard or a blueberry from a local farmer's market, you might want to stop and think what you're really eating. Jacksonville's coal-fired power plants emit A LOT of mercury. Is that mercury making its way into our local food supply?

For a hint whether this dangerous neurotoxin can get into our food supply, we can take a look at China. A recent Wall Street Journal article ("China Faces a New Worry: Heavy Metals in the Food," 7/2/07) delved into the effects of pollution in that country. Among its findings..."China’s soil contamination is caused by a range of factors. Mercury released into the air by coal-fired power plants is captured by raindrops, and transferred to the soil and groundwater."

Is JEA's pollution making its way into our food? And, if so, what is the true cost of your electric bill? Just some questions to nosh on.