Read the passage and answer the questions:

Approximately 30,000 lives are cut short in the U.S. each year due to pollution from electricity production. 

About 81 tons of mercury are emitted into the atmosphere each year as a result of electric power generation. Mercury is the most toxic heavy metal in existence.

Answer these questions:

1) How many lives does electricity pollution cut short each year? 

2) What does the word "toxic" mean?

3) What is the most toxic heavy metal?

Due on Thurs 2/5/09