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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 U.S. at risk. That’s why Moms mobilized in 2023 to support strengthening MATS. We celebrated when EPA finalized a new, stronger rule in April 2024. This progress is now under attack by the Trump administration.

Take Action

MOMS ACTION

To actively build support for strengthening mercury standards across the country, we:

  • EDUCATE In May 2023, 47 Moms staff and members testified at EPA’s virtual public hearing on the proposal to strengthen the mercury rule. Our recently updated How Mercury Poisoning Works fact sheet illustrates mercury’s journey from coal plant to air to water to fish—and its health impacts along the way.
  • PETITION We’ve been petitioning for stronger mercury pollution standards for more than a decade. In 2023 alone, we submitted just under 5,000 written comments in support of stronger standards.
  • PARTNER Moms partners with the Climate Action Campaign and the Environmental Defense Fund to strengthen mercury standards.
  • AMPLIFY Moms has been making headlines about mercury rules since our founding in 2011. Following the announcement of updated MATS in April 2024, Moms’ Patrice Tomcik spoke to the Washington Post and Moms’ Michelle Uberuaga spoke to NBC Montana about the importance of these rules for children’s health.
  • SUCCEED Thanks in part to our tireless efforts, mercury pollution has dropped by 86% since the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards were implemented in 2012—and this pollution will drop even more over the coming years. EPA’s strengthened mercury protections finalized in 2024 are a hard-fought win for Moms.

OUR MERCURY EXPERTS

Elizabeth Bechard

Public Health Manager

Melody Reis

Director of Federal Policy

Patrice Tomcik

National Field Director

Almeta E. Cooper

National Manager for Health Justice

FEATURED RESOURCES

Mercury 101

Fact Sheet

Mercury 101

How Mercury Poisoning Works

Fact Sheet

How Mercury Poisoning Works

Why EPA's New Mercury Protections Matter to Moms

Article

Why EPA's New Mercury Protections Matter to Moms

American Indian Women Speak Out on Mercury Standards

Article

American Indian Women Speak Out on Mercury Standards

WHY WE CARE

Mercury is a naturally occurring, highly toxic heavy metal. In the U.S., 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 into 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 U.S., the biggest source of mercury pollution is coal-fired power plants.

COMMUNITY IMPACTS

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 mercury pollution 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 ON
MERCURY

Moms Clean Air Force worked hard for MATS to be implemented back in 2012. MATS has proved to be an effective pollution prevention program, protecting pregnant women 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 Resources about Mercury

  • Articles
  • Resources
  • testimony
  • Take Action
  • press
Moms Raise Our Voices to Stop Industrial Polluters From Releasing Seven Most Dangerous Pollutants Ever Created

Article

Moms Raise Our Voices to Stop Industrial Polluters From Releasing Seven Most Dangerous Pollutants Ever Created

Moms’ Dominique Browning on Making America Sick Again in <i>Newsday</i>

Article

Moms’ Dominique Browning on Making America Sick Again in Newsday

Why EPA's New Mercury Protections Matter to Moms

Article

Why EPA's New Mercury Protections Matter to Moms

Sweeping Power Plant Pollution Safeguards Put Children’s Health First

Article

Sweeping Power Plant Pollution Safeguards Put Children’s Health First

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!

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

How the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards Protect Our Babies

Article

How the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards Protect Our Babies

Mercury: From Coal to Table

Article

Mercury: From Coal to Table

Moms Clean Air Force Testifies Before Congress, Again, to Defend Mercury Standards

Article

Moms Clean Air Force Testifies Before Congress, Again, to Defend Mercury Standards

Native American Moms Discuss Why Mercury Standards Matter: Interview with Rachel Fernandez

Article

Native American Moms Discuss Why Mercury Standards Matter: Interview with Rachel Fernandez

Read more articles about Mercury »

Mercury 101

Fact Sheet

Mercury 101

Cómo funciona el envenenamiento por mercurio

Fact Sheet

Cómo funciona el envenenamiento por mercurio

Información básica sobre el mercurio

Fact Sheet

Información básica sobre el mercurio

How Mercury Poisoning Works

Fact Sheet

How Mercury Poisoning Works

Trump and EPA are Giving a Free Pass to Polluters

Video

Trump and EPA are Giving a Free Pass to Polluters

Clean Air Action Guide

resource

Clean Air Action Guide

Testimony: Patrice Tomcik, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Patrice Tomcik, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony: Liz Hurtado, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Liz Hurtado, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony: Vanessa Lynch, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Vanessa Lynch, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony: Karin Stein, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Karin Stein, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony: Melody Reis, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Melody Reis, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony: Ida Sami, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Ida Sami, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony: Michelle Uberuaga, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Michelle Uberuaga, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony: Shaina Oliver, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Shaina Oliver, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony: Laurie Anderson, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Laurie Anderson, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony: Rachel Meyer, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Rachel Meyer, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony: Jennifer Cantley, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Jennifer Cantley, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony: Emily Pickett, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

Testimony

Testimony: Emily Pickett, EPA’s Proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, May 9, 2023

See more testimonies about Mercury »

Tell Congress: Defend EPA’s Ability to Protect Human Health and the Environment

Petition

Tell Congress: Defend EPA’s Ability to Protect Human Health and the Environment

2025

NewsDay

Trump administration's new slogan: make emissions great again

Inside Climate News

In an Era of Environmental Deregulation, What Happens to Fetal and Reproductive Health Outcomes?

2024

Air Quality News

Moms Clean Air Force celebrate stronger pollution rules

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Guest column: Updated air pollution regulations are a win for Montana families

Billings Gazette

Health officials say politicians, utilities ignore health impacts of Colstrip pollution

NBC Montana

EPA announces standards to reduce toxic air emissions in Montana

Montana Public Radio

Montana's congressional delegation reacts to new federal emissions standards for coal plants

Billings Gazette

Michelle Uberuaga: Updated air pollution regulations are a win for Montana families

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Patrice Tomcik: New protections will save lives and slash climate pollution from coal plants

NBC Montana

Montana will feel effects of new EPA rules, officials react

Montana Free Press

EPA finalizes rules to clamp down on pollution from power plants

Infobae

Las nuevas reglas reducirán la contaminación atmosférica, acuática y climática de las centrales eléctricas de Estados Unidos

The Washington Post

New rules will slash air, water and climate pollution from U.S. power plants

2019

Tucson Sentinel

EPA plan to ease mercury standards raises ire of moms’ group, activists

Daily Miner

EPA plan to ease mercury standards raises ire of moms’ group, activists

Arizona Daily Independent

EPA plan to ease mercury standards raises ire of moms’ group, activists

Noticiero Telemundo Bakersfield

Video Clip from EPA’s Mercury Pollution Proposal Hearing

Noticias Telemundo Mediodía

Video Clip from EPA’s Mercury Pollution Proposal Hearing

Noticiero Telemundo Houston

Video Clip from EPA’s Mercury Pollution Proposal Hearing

Havasu News

EPA plan to ease mercury standards raises ire of moms’ group, activists

U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works

Carper Testifies at EPA Hearing to Defend the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule

Cronkite News

EPA plan to ease mercury standards raises ire of moms’ group, activists

Market Screener

U S Senate Committee on Environment and Public Wo : Carper Testifies at EPA Hearing to Defend the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule

POLITICO Morning Energy

Take it to the MATS

E&E News

Groups urge EPA to scrap mercury rule redo

E&E News

On eve of Wheeler vote, odd bedfellows decry MATS changes

Energy News Network

EPA proposal would put federal mercury rules on shakier legal ground

E&E News

Carper, advocacy groups blast Trump’s MATS review

WTTW Chicago PBS

Group Forecasts Statewide Impact of EPA’s Controversial Mercury Plan

2018

Mother Jones

The EPA’s Latest Move Risks Exposing the Public to More Mercury

Society of Environmental Journalists

“Ad Campaign Targets Trump’s Mercury Rule Proposal”

The Hill

Ad campaign target’s Trump’s mercury rule proposal

2015

Fox News Latino

Opinion: Latino families should fight for the mercury and air toxics standards

2013

ThinkProgress

Don’t Let Utilities Get Away With Mercury Pollution

2012

SELF Magazine

Why Grey’s Anatomy Actress Jessica Capshaw Wants You to Demand Mercury-Free Air

2011

Climate Progress

Moms Clean Air Force founder explains how mercury poisoning works

Mercury 101

Fact Sheet

Mercury 101

Cómo funciona el envenenamiento por mercurio

Fact Sheet

Cómo funciona el envenenamiento por mercurio

Información básica sobre el mercurio

Fact Sheet

Información básica sobre el mercurio

How Mercury Poisoning Works

Fact Sheet

How Mercury Poisoning Works

Moms Raise Our Voices to Stop Industrial Polluters From Releasing Seven Most Dangerous Pollutants Ever Created

Article

Moms Raise Our Voices to Stop Industrial Polluters From Releasing Seven Most Dangerous Pollutants Ever Created

Moms’ Dominique Browning on Making America Sick Again in <i>Newsday</i>

Article

Moms’ Dominique Browning on Making America Sick Again in Newsday

Trump and EPA are Giving a Free Pass to Polluters

Video

Trump and EPA are Giving a Free Pass to Polluters

Tell Congress: Defend EPA’s Ability to Protect Human Health and the Environment

Petition

Tell Congress: Defend EPA’s Ability to Protect Human Health and the Environment

Celebrating Progress After a Decade of Advocacy: Moms Make News 

Article

Celebrating Progress After a Decade of Advocacy: Moms Make News 

Why EPA's New Mercury Protections Matter to Moms

Article

Why EPA's New Mercury Protections Matter to Moms

Sweeping Power Plant Pollution Safeguards Put Children’s Health First

Article

Sweeping Power Plant Pollution Safeguards Put Children’s Health First

Climate Change Turns Up the Heat: Moms Make News

Article

Climate Change Turns Up the Heat: Moms Make News

See more Mercury resources »

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