Rolling Back Mercury Limits Would Expose More Kids to Toxic Pollution from Power Plants

In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s proposal to roll back the updated, 2024 limits on mercury and air toxics from power plants, announced today, American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:

“The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards have significantly reduced emissions of mercury and other toxic air pollution that makes kids sick. These standards have led to a more than 90% reduction in mercury while also limiting dangerous particle pollution. They’ve protected pregnant women, infants and children from harmful exposure and saved thousands of lives each year. 

“Last year, EPA updated the standards to reflect the science that shows that power plants, through available technology, can reduce dangerous emissions even further. Standards to reduce mercury – a bioaccumulating neurotoxin – have been broadly supported by the public and already implemented by industry. Rolling back this lifesaving update would be a grave mistake that would expose people to toxic pollution proven to harm brain development, trigger asthma attacks, and cause cancer and premature death.

“EPA estimated that the updated standards would reduce hundreds of tons of dangerous pollutants and provide $300 million in health benefits. These monetary estimates do not capture the full benefits from reducing the toxic emissions. Weakening these protections would not only reverse progress but would also place an unfair burden on the communities located near polluting facilities, who already breathe too much unhealthy air.

“Many power plants were already complying with the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the technology is available. Weakening the standards now is indefensible from a public health standpoint and a betrayal of EPA’s mission.

“We urge EPA to abandon any effort to roll back these critical safeguards. The agency’s mission is to protect public health and the environment, not to expose people to more toxic pollution.”