EPA Sets First National Limits to Reduce Mercury and Other Toxic Emissions from Cement Plants
WASHINGTON
–The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is issuing final rules that will protect Americans’ health by
cutting emissions of mercury, particle pollution and other harmful
pollutants from Portland cement manufacturing, the third-largest
source of mercury air emissions in the United States. The rules are
expected to yield $7 to $19 in public health benefits for every
dollar in costs. Mercury can damage children’s developing brains,
and particle pollution is linked to a wide variety of serious health
effects, including aggravated asthma, irregular heartbeat, heart
attacks, and premature death in people with heart and lung disease.
"Americans throughout the country are suffering from the effects of pollutants in our air, especially our children who are more vulnerable to these chemicals," EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. "This administration is committed to reducing pollution that is hurting the health of our communities. With this historic step, we are going a long way in accomplishing that goal. By reducing harmful pollutants in the air we breathe, we cut the risk of asthma attacks and save lives."
This action sets the nation’s first
limits on mercury air emissions from existing cement kilns,
strengthens the limits for new kilns, and sets emission limits that
will reduce acid gases. This final action also limits particle
pollution from new and existing kilns, and sets new-kiln limits for
particle and smog-forming nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
· Mercury – 16,600 pounds or 92 percent · Total hydrocarbons – 10,600 tons or 83 percent · Particulate Matter – 11,500 tons or 92 percent · Acid gases – (measured as hydrochloric acid): 5,800 tons or 97 percent · Sulfur dioxide (SO2)– 110,000 tons or 78 percent · Nitrogen oxides (NOx) – 6,600 tons or 5 percent
Mercury in the air eventually deposits
into water, where it changes into methylmercury, a highly toxic form
that builds up in fish. People are primarily exposed to mercury by
eating contaminated fish. Because the developing fetus is the most
sensitive to the toxic effects of methylmercury, women of
childbearing age and children are regarded as the populations of
greatest concern. EPA estimates that the rules will yield $6.7 billion to $18 billion in health and environmental benefits, with costs estimated at $926 million to $950 million annually in 2013. Another EPA analysis estimates emission reductions and costs will be lower, with costs projected to be $350 million annually.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3pfpr.html
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