In last week's Commentary you heard about the kinds, and quantities, of chemicals that may be released into our air and water from a coal gasification power plant and refinery based on data from a similar plant. So what do these chemicals do to our family's health? What will they do to the environment in and around Wiscasset? Wiscasset and neighboring communities will become "ground zero" for pollution from the plant. The closer to the plant the higher the contamination - Wiscasset will be what is referred to as a "hot spot."

Pollution "hot spots" pose significant health threats. People who live in areas near coal-fired plants are acutely affected. In these areas, death rates are much higher than in areas with few or no coal-fired plants.

What do coal plants spew that could harm our health and the planet?

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) . Nitrogen oxide plays a major role in the formation of ground-level ozone (or smog) in summer and contributes to fine particulate matter (or soot). Both smog and soot are linked to a host of serious health effects (see below). Nitrogen oxide also harms the environment, contributing to acidification of lakes and streams (acid rain) and the haze that often shrouds our national parks and scenic vistas.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) . Sulfur dioxides contribute to the formation of microscopic particles (particulate pollution or soot) that can be inhaled deep into the lungs and aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, increasing cough and mucous secretion.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and global warming . Carbon dioxide does not directly impair human health but is the most significant greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. The dangers of global warming include disruption of global weather patterns and ecosystems, sea level rise and flooding, severe storms and droughts. A warming climate will also extend the range of infectious diseases, and is increasing the acidity of our waters and mud flats, impacting our lobster, shellfish and worming industries.

The Twin Rivers Energy (TRE) proposed coal plant will generate about 5 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, doubling the CO2 produced in Maine for electricity we don't even need here!

Mercury (Hg). The most dangerous chemical emission is mercury. Mercury can cause severe nervous system problems in humans and wildlife. Especially vulnerable are developing fetuses, babies and children. Eating fish and shellfish is one of the primary ways people ingest mercury, which accumulates in the tissues of fish and other animals. Mercury is a naturally occurring toxic metal that exists at low levels throughout the environment and, as an element, it never breaks down or disappears. Mercury cycles through the environment, passing between the air, land and water, and affects plants and animals - and of course our families.

Mercury is released into the air primarily from industrial sources, such as TRE's proposed coal plant. It is extremely difficult to remove mercury from the plant emissions, hence mercury released is often much greater than calculated in plant design. In addition, unlike carbon dioxide and other gases, much of it settles out of the emissions in areas within several miles of the plant.

Once released into the air, it falls to the ground in rain or snow and is deposited into water bodies, where it is converted into another highly toxic form of mercury (called methyl mercury). Methyl mercury then builds up in the tissues of fish and other animals. When small fish with low mercury levels get eaten by bigger fish, the amount of mercury "biomagnifies." For this reason, long-lived fish and top-level predators often have the highest mercury levels. According to EPA, mercury concentrations in fish can be 1 to 10 million times the mercury concentration in the water.

Mercury targets the nervous system and kidneys. Developing fetuses, infants and young children are at the highest risk from mercury exposure, since their brains and nervous systems are still forming. Fetuses can absorb mercury directly across the placenta, and nursing infants can get it from their mother's breast milk. This is why it is so important for women of childbearing age to minimize their consumption of fish with high mercury levels. It can take 12-18 months for women in their childbearing years to significantly rid their body burden of methyl mercury.

Children exposed to mercury before birth may exhibit problems with mental development and coordination, including how they think, learn and problem-solve later in life. These neurological symptoms may appear similar to cerebral palsy. Developmental and neurological damage can be irreversible for fetuses and young children, but as children get older, the risk associated with mercury exposure decreases.

Mercury exposure can also harm adults. Symptoms can include numbness, burning or tingling of the extremities (lips, fingers, toes); fatigue; weakness; irritability; shyness; loss of memory and coordination; tremors; and changes in hearing and blurred vision. Extremely high mercury levels can permanently damage an adult's brain and kidneys, or even lead to circulatory failure.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer each year from asthma attacks, cardiac and respiratory problems associated with fine particles from power plants. These illnesses result in tens of thousands of emergency room visits, hospitalizations and lost work days each year.

More grim facts:

• Fine particle pollution from U.S. power plants cuts short the lives of nearly 24,000 people each year (by an average of 14 years), including 2,800 from lung cancer.

• Power plant pollution is responsible for 38,200 non-fatal heart attacks per year.

• The elderly, children, and those with respiratory disease are most severely affected by fine particle pollution.

• People who live in areas near coal-fired plants (pollution hot spots) are most acutely affected by toxic emissions - death rates in these areas are much higher than areas with few or no coal-fired plants.

Wiscasset does not need to sacrifice the health of its families for a prosperous future and lower taxes. We can have a bright future and bright skies. The plan has already been developed. It is our just approved Comprehensive Plan. What Point East proposed to us in 2004 (the Maritime Village and the light industry i-Park, is a far better alternative for lower property taxes. It preserves our rural and scenic maritime village, our health and our environment. It is a worthy legacy to pass to our children and grandchildren. The proposal for a heavy and dirty industrial power plant and refinery is just the wrong path for all of us. Wiscasset can do better for a healthy and prosperous future.

For more information, please visit www.backriveralliance.org.