EPA Chips Away at Mercury Rule; Critics Say Communities of Color at Risk
Nadia Ramlagan, Producer
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that 2016 air-pollution controls placed on mercury emitted from coal-fired power plants are "neither appropriate nor necessary," citing the cost of compliance.
For now, the regulations will remain in place, but critics say the agency is ignoring the science pointing to mercury as a potent neurotoxin with a host of negative effects on human health.
Harvard University professor in the Kennedy School of Government Joe Aldy said there are deep flaws in the EPA's recent analysis of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, known as "MATS." He said the agency isn't acknowledging the reductions in fine particulate matter that have occurred alongside reductions in mercury pollution.
"When EPA first issued the rule, it explained in a 2011 analysis that the benefits of reducing particulate matter pollution, and thus causing fewer premature mortalities, cases of severe asthma and other respiratory conditions, would be valued in the tens of billions of dollars per year," Aldy said. "This EPA zeroed these out."
A study published in 2017 found that between 2006 and 2016, mercury emissions from U.S. coal-fired power plants shrank by 85%.
Dominique Browning, director of the group Moms Clean Air Force, pointed out that if MATS regulations aren't in place, the health burden will fall disproportionately on pregnant women, low-income communities and communities of color, who are more likely to live near industrial power plants.
"Nearly 2 in 5 Latinx live within 30 miles of a power plant, and 68% of African-Americans live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant," Browning said.
Several research studies also have linked pregnant women's exposure to air pollution - including mercury, vehicle exhaust, lead and other sources of outdoor air pollution - to an increased risk of babies being born with autism.
Reporting by North Carolina News Connection in association with Media in the Public Interest and funded in part by the Park Foundation
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…
Social Issues
A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …
Social Issues
Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …
Social Issues
Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…