THE EDITOR, Sir:

I have recently been informed that mercury can be emitted in the production of cement. These emissions pollute bodies of water and, as a potent neurotoxin, it can harm developing brains.

Switzerland, at present, requires the control of such emissions from their cement plants and this month the U.S.A.'s Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that mercury emissions be controlled in kilns built as of December 2005, and dust containing mercury be controlled from all other kilns.

It would, therefore, be in the public interest to know if there has ever been any monitoring of mercury emissions from local kilns and, more importantly, are new kilns now under construction able to control mercury emissions?

I am, etc.,

PAUL HAY

Managing partner

Paul Hay Consultants

Kingston 10