For centuries, industries have used mercury in their industrial processes. With the knowledge of how toxic mercury is to the human body, they have still chosen to knowingly contaminate families in and around their facilities.

An environmental group is urging Olin Corporation to switch its Charleston, Tn., plant to a mercury-free process.

Mercury is a highly toxic element. When mercury is at room temperature, it becomes a neurotoxic vapor. This type of vapor kills neurons and other molecular structures throughout the body.

The Environmental Protection Agency was granted new power in 2016 to require companies to test a chemical already in commerce and in 2020 issued its first test order.

Mercury is a serious neurotoxin, especially to pregnant women and young children. While the young brain and organs are developing, mercury is destroying vital molecular structures. This destruction can lead to neuropsychological (brain damage) and general organ damage, if not failure.

A chemical plant at the root of a late-night fire that prompted a shelter-in-place order for parts of Iberville Parish handed notices in the past for failing safety checks.

Often, symptoms may take months or years to develop. These symptoms are from continuous low-dose exposures to mercury over long periods of time, as are often the case during plant operations. However, symptoms can develop almost immediately from short-term high-dose exposures.

“The Hiwassee River was temporarily closed to boat traffic this morning after chlorine leaked from Olin's Charleston plant.”