The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to strengthen standards against mercury pollution and other toxic air pollution from power plants. This is a big step in the right direction to protect people from toxic air pollutants like arsenic, mercury, and other heavy metals that cause disease and premature death.
Mercury from coal-fired power plants is released into the air, falls into waterways, and accumulates in fish that families eat. This potent neurotoxin causes permanent damage to the brains of babies and fetuses, leading to developmental delays, learning disabilities, and birth defects.
The update EPA proposed to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard would strengthen vital safeguards to cut deadly mercury and other pollution that threatens our health, air, and water and poses significant harm to pregnant people and babies.
