Environmental Issues Hit Home ; Election 2004: Mainers Say Mercury and Other Pollution Will Count in How They Cast Their Votes. Series: About Our Series the Maine Sunday Telegram Is Examining Several Issues Important to Voters in the State Heading Into the Nov. 2 Presidential Election: Sept. 5: Prescription Drugs Today: Environment Sept. 19: Values Sept. 26: Jobs and Wages Oct. 3: Security and Terrorism

Portland Press Herald › September 12, 2004

Linked as:

Summary

Second in a series

Lorraine Comeau was just about to open a new box of Rice Krispies breakfast cereal when a picture of Spider-Man caught her eye, along with a notice that said "See back for details."

See the full content of this document

Extract

Environmental Issues Hit Home ; Election 2004: Mainers Say Mercury and Other Pollution Will Count in How They Cast Their Votes. Series: About Our Series the Maine Sunday Telegram Is Examining Several Issues Important to Voters in the State Heading Into the Nov. 2 Presidential Election: Sept. 5: Prescription Drugs Today: Environment Sept. 19: Values Sept. 26: Jobs and Wages Oct. 3: Security and Terrorism

The 79-year-old great-grandmother turned the box over and read the small print. It said the toy's battery contained mercury and should be disposed of properly.

"I was appalled," she said. "I felt this was so irresponsible . . . I'm tired of having mercury in our food supply, our fish supply especially."

Comeau, who lives in Lewiston, made a few calls to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and her state representative to se...

See the full content of this document