Wis. plant to stop using mercury

MADISON, Wis., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- A chlorine plant that is Wisconsin's largest source of mercury pollution plans to switch to another process by 2009.

Environmental officials say the change at ERCO Worldwide in Port Edwards will cut mercury emissions by 28 percent in the state, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

"There is no possible way to spin this other than to say this is a huge step forward for the environment," said Al Shea, in charge of air quality regulation for the Department of Natural Resources.

Scientists warn that mercury may linger for years, although Carl Watras of the University of Wisconsin-Madison said the levels found in fish in some waterways could drop significantly within a few years.

David P. Krabbenhoft of the U.S. Geological Survey said that because of the complex interaction between mercury and the environment, some fish could remain contaminated for hundreds of years.