Michigan has its share of environmental problems. One of the state's biggest problems involves water quality. Pollution is enormous in the Great Lakes, as seen in Lake Michigan and several rivers such as the Kalamazoo and the Grand River. Water contamination includes things like sewage, toxic chemical spills, waste, and mercury emissions from power plants and factories. According to Brandon Howell of Mlive Michigan News, who discusses mercury issues, "Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that harms growing children and pollutes our environment" (2). Factors such as toxins and sewage pose a threat to wildlife that rely on lakes and rivers. The poor water quality could very well be linked to the poor economic conditions the state is currently suffering from. Water quality is a major issue in Michigan that should be brought to attention so citizens can understand pollution risk factors if they want to be part of the cleaner water solution. Currently, the Grand River is experiencing problems with toxic chemicals that continue to kill fish and other underwater wildlife. The majority of these chemicals are released from the Eckert Power Plant located in Moores River Park. Mark Nixon, director of communications for the Board of Water and Light, explains that the plant releases enormous quantities of "mercury, sulfur and nitrogen compounds" (15). The Water and Light Council is working to make the river cleaner and reduce emissions of these harmful chemicals, while moving toward natural gas instead of coal. An editor for Physicians of Social Responsibility, in the article "Coal Ash", explains that the use of coal is dangerous...... middle of paper ......al Responsibility, nd Web. November 5, 2012. Hasemyer, David. “The EPA is concerned that Dilbit still poses a threat to the Kalamazoo River, more than 2 years after the spill.” InsideClimate News. Energy Foundation, October 13, 2012. Web. October 21, 2012. Holliday, Darryl. "Lake Michigan beaches are among the worst in the country, study finds." Lake Country News-Sun. Chicago Sun-Times, June 29, 2011. Web. November 5, 2012. Howell, Brandon. “Lansing Board of Water & Light plant ranked eighth worst for mercury emissions into Michigan air.” Mlive. Np, November 11, 2011. Web. October 16, 2012.Lawrence, Eric D. “No More Oil-Contaminated Kalamazoo River Open for Recreation.” » Detroit Free Press: A.6. June 22, 2012. Detroit Free Press. Internet. October 22, 2012. Nixon, Mark. “BWL to build $182 million electric steam generation facility in Reo City.” Lansing Board of Water and Light. Lansing Board of Water and Light, July 16, 2010. Web. October 22. 2012.