Exposure to mercury is especially dangerous for pregnant women and young children . Elle Macpherson : Coal - fired power plants largest source of mercury pollution , a deadly poison . Mercury tied to learning and developmental disabilities , autism , lower IQs , she says . Macpherson : After decades , EPA set mercury and toxin emission limits . If Senate votes to kill limits , she says , water , air and land will continue to be poisoned .
Elle Macpherson : Coal - fired power plants largest source of mercury pollution , a deadly poison . Mercury tied to learning and developmental disabilities , autism , lower IQs , she says . Macpherson : After decades , EPA set mercury and toxin emission limits . If Senate votes to kill limits , she says , water , air and land will continue to be poisoned .