Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mining is one of several hot-button issues in Wisconsin.
Asaresultofotherpollution,theWisconsinDNRissuesalmost200“boilwater”notices
annually(oneWisconsincountyfoundhalfofits376wellstobeseriouslycontaminated by
pollutants such as atrazine and nitrates). More than 90 percent of state lakes have been af-
fected one way or another, including sedimentation, contamination, and (the most common
and difficult to handle) eutrophication—when increased nutrients in the water lead to algae
blooms and nuisance weeds, which eventually kill off aquatic life (visit Madison, the city
on four lakes, in July and you'll know what I mean).
Mercury and Other Toxins
Some say toxic environmental pollutants are among the most pernicious, silent crises in
health of the North Woods today. No big deal? Government statistics estimate that 1,200
Wisconsinchildrenareexposedtoelevatedlevelsofmercuryannually.TheCDCinAtlanta
says 1 woman in 10 in the United States already has dangerous levels of mercury in her
blood.
Now,mercury isn'taproblem inLakes Superior andMichigan; however,fishconsump-
tion advisories exist there as well because of a cousin toxin, PCB, which is different but
