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Mercury

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WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON

Mercury pollution is a core issue for Moms Clean Air Force. While the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) that were first implemented in 2012 have been largely successful, there are still many coal plants that release significant amounts of mercury, putting families and communities across the US at risk. A majority of the worst remaining plants burn lignite coal, an especially polluting form, and are located in Texas and North Dakota.

President Biden’s EPA has committed to strengthening the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. New protections against mercury and other air toxics coming from coal-fired power plants were announced in April 2023. The proposed standards will specifically address emissions from the burning of lignite coal and will also strengthen protection from arsenic, lead, and chromium by requiring continuous emissions monitoring for coal plants, instead of short, periodic emissions tests. In May, dozens of Moms staff and members gave testimony in support of these standards at EPA’s virtual public hearing; thousands more submitted written comments to the docket. We are urging EPA to finalize the new standards as soon as possible.

RELATED RESOURCES

Mercury 101

Fact Sheet

Mercury 101

Moms celebrate EPA announcement on mercury and air toxics protections

Press Statement

Moms celebrate EPA announcement on mercury and air toxics protections

Take Action

WHY WE CARE

Mercury is a naturally occurring, highly toxic heavy metal. In the US, the biggest source of mercury pollution is coal-fired power plants. Mercury occurs naturally in coal in small quantities, and when coal is burned for energy, it’s released into the air. From there, mercury falls onto rivers and lakes, entering the food chain.

In waterways, microbes convert mercury into methylmercury, which accumulates in fish. Methylmercury concentrations in fish can be up to 100 million times greater than the concentration in water. When humans eat fish, mercury gets into our bodies. There is no safe level of mercury consumption.

HEALTH IMPACTS

Mercury can harm human health in a variety of ways. It’s especially dangerous for developing babies and children’s brains. When pregnant women eat contaminated fish, mercury can cross the placenta and impact children’s ability to walk, talk, read, and learn. It can also cause behavioral issues. Mercury is linked to cardiovascular problems too, including increased risk of heart attacks.


In the US, the biggest source of mercury pollution is coal-fired power plants.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

The majority of the top mercury-emitting coal-fired plants today are located within 50 to 100 miles of large population centers, some in areas already contending with poor air quality. Black, Brown, low-income, and Indigenous populations bear a disproportionate burden of their environmental harms and adverse health impacts. An outsize number of Black people in the United States live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant.

In addition to living closest to smokestacks, some communities are at higher risk for ingesting mercury as they traditionally eat more fish than others. Tribal communities are among the highest risk groups for mercury contamination from fish consumption.

BACK STORY

Moms Clean Air Force fought hard for MATS to be implemented back in 2012. MATS has proved to be an effective pollution prevention program, protecting pregnant woman and babies from mercury as well as other poisonous emissions: lead, arsenic, dioxin, acid gases, and cancer-causing chromium, nickel, and selenium. MATS has helped ensure 90% of the mercury from coal burned in power plants doesn’t get released into our air. EPA estimates that MATS saves up to 11,000 lives and prevents thousands of heart attacks, asthma attacks, and hospital and emergency room visits yearly.

The economic benefits of MATS are equally substantial: an estimated $90 billion a year. Utilities have found implementing MATS less expensive than predicted, and polluting coal plants that were too old and dilapidated to upgrade with the “scrubber” technology that curbs emissions were instead shut down. This is a big win against climate change, not just mercury pollution.

More Articles and Resources

  • Articles
  • Resources
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Meeting the Moment: How Moms Are Fighting for Seven Important EPA Rules

Article

Meeting the Moment: How Moms Are Fighting for Seven Important EPA Rules

Mercury Does Not Belong in Our Children's Lunchboxes

Article

Mercury Does Not Belong in Our Children's Lunchboxes

Strong Protections in the Fight Against Mercury Are Possible!

Article

Strong Protections in the Fight Against Mercury Are Possible!

EPA’s Proposal to Limit Emissions From Power Plants Is NOT "Drastic," "Stringent," or Impossible

Article

EPA’s Proposal to Limit Emissions From Power Plants Is NOT "Drastic," "Stringent," or Impossible

Groundbreaking EPA Report on Climate Change and Children’s Health

Article

Groundbreaking EPA Report on Climate Change and Children’s Health

Earth to Mom: Keep Going. Keep Fighting. Keep Loving.

Article

Earth to Mom: Keep Going. Keep Fighting. Keep Loving.

From Coal to Table: Protect Your Family From Mercury Pollution

Article

From Coal to Table: Protect Your Family From Mercury Pollution

EPA Administrator Regan Announced Stronger Mercury and Air Toxics Protections

Article

EPA Administrator Regan Announced Stronger Mercury and Air Toxics Protections

EPA: Stop Dragging Your Feet

Article

EPA: Stop Dragging Your Feet

Clean Air, Climate, Health Equity—And Inequity: Indigenous and Tribal Communities (VIDEO)

Article

Clean Air, Climate, Health Equity—And Inequity: Indigenous and Tribal Communities (VIDEO)

How the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards Protect Our Babies

Article

How the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards Protect Our Babies

Dominique Browning's EPA Testimony in Support of Restoring the Foundation of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Article

Dominique Browning's EPA Testimony in Support of Restoring the Foundation of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Read more articles about Mercury »

Mercury 101

Fact Sheet

Mercury 101

Heavy Metals Don't Belong in Baby Food

Fact Sheet

Heavy Metals Don't Belong in Baby Food

Mercury Pollution in the United States

Fact Sheet

Mercury Pollution in the United States

How Mercury Poisoning Works

Fact Sheet

How Mercury Poisoning Works

EcoMadres EPA Public Participation Workshop

Video

EcoMadres EPA Public Participation Workshop

Assault on Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Fact Sheet

Assault on Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Cómo actúa el envenenamiento por mercurio

Fact Sheet

Cómo actúa el envenenamiento por mercurio

Mercury Pollution in Michigan

Fact Sheet

Mercury Pollution in Michigan

Mercury Pollution in the Great Lakes Region

Fact Sheet

Mercury Pollution in the Great Lakes Region

Clean Air Action Guide

resource

Clean Air Action Guide

Mercury Pollution in Tennessee

Fact Sheet

Mercury Pollution in Tennessee

Mercury Pollution in Nebraska

Fact Sheet

Mercury Pollution in Nebraska

See more resources about Mercury »

Tell President Biden and EPA: Move Quickly to Finalize Strong Pollution Protections

Petition

Tell President Biden and EPA: Move Quickly to Finalize Strong Pollution Protections

Mercury 101

Fact Sheet

Mercury 101

Heavy Metals Don't Belong in Baby Food

Fact Sheet

Heavy Metals Don't Belong in Baby Food

Mercury Pollution in the United States

Fact Sheet

Mercury Pollution in the United States

How Mercury Poisoning Works

Fact Sheet

How Mercury Poisoning Works

Tell President Biden and EPA: Move Quickly to Finalize Strong Pollution Protections

Petition

Tell President Biden and EPA: Move Quickly to Finalize Strong Pollution Protections

Meeting the Moment: How Moms Are Fighting for Seven Important EPA Rules

Article

Meeting the Moment: How Moms Are Fighting for Seven Important EPA Rules

Climate Change Turns Up the Heat: Moms Make News

Article

Climate Change Turns Up the Heat: Moms Make News

Mercury Does Not Belong in Our Children's Lunchboxes

Article

Mercury Does Not Belong in Our Children's Lunchboxes

Strong Protections in the Fight Against Mercury Are Possible!

Article

Strong Protections in the Fight Against Mercury Are Possible!

EPA’s Proposal to Limit Emissions From Power Plants Is NOT "Drastic," "Stringent," or Impossible

Article

EPA’s Proposal to Limit Emissions From Power Plants Is NOT "Drastic," "Stringent," or Impossible

Groundbreaking EPA Report on Climate Change and Children’s Health

Article

Groundbreaking EPA Report on Climate Change and Children’s Health

EcoMadres EPA Public Participation Workshop

Video

EcoMadres EPA Public Participation Workshop

See more Mercury resources »

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