Recent Developments

New study suggests selenium from coal power plants impacts wildlife 

A recently published study reports (140kb, pdf) maternal transfer of selenium to eggs in toads living near a coal-burning power plant.  The study also reports that viability of the offspring living near the power plant was 19% lower than in an uncontaminated area.  Although the authors were unable to demonstrate a statistical relationship between selenium levels in eggs and reduced viability, the results suggestive that selenium (and perhaps other contaminants) were impacting wildlife in the vicinity of the coal power plant.  The study is published in the science journal Environmental Health Perspectives, published by the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.  June 28, 2006