CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina is starting a study on the effects of mercury pollution, but it will smaller than first planned because of state budget cuts.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reports the Department of Health and Environmental Control says it won't be a full statewide study because the agency lost $40 million in budget cuts.
The study will initially focus around Florence, because mercury contamination is high in the area.
Mercury occurs naturally in the environmental, but can also collect in rivers and lakes from pollution from burning coal.
The newspaper reported that South Carolinians who eat fish from contaminated rivers have unusually high levels of mercury.
The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com
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