Mercury Testing

Cynthia Hoyle with the Prairie Group of the Sierra Club discusses ways women can get their mercury levels tested.... for Todays News In-Depth. Why is this testing so important? Many residents of Illinois have unsafe levels of mercury in their bodies due to eating locally caught fish, tuna and/or sushi. What problems can it cause to an unborn child? Children and fetuses are at greatest risk of harm and may suffer from a variety of developmental disabilities. Mercury primarily affects humans through the consumption of contaminated fish. The largest single source of mercury pollution in Illinois is coal burning power plants. How many women does this affect? One in six women of childbearing age have enough mercury in their blood to endanger a developing fetus How is the testing done? The free and confidential testing will determine your mercury levels. Everyone is welcome. A stylist will clip a carefully selected portion of hair at the back of your head. The Prairie Group will send off the samples for free testing. The lab will report results to you. It is completely confidential. Where is the testing? Timothy John Salon 404 W. Green Street, Urbana Saturday, February 17 8:30-10:30 a.m. Call ahead for an appointment. 344-4720