Clean Energy - If not now, When?

Mercury Pollution from Power Plants

Mercury is a hazardous air pollutant that causes serious adverse health effects. It is released into the environment primarily by the combustion of mercury-containing materials, such as coal and solid waste. Mercury pollution can be transported through the air, sometimes for thousands of miles, and eventually deposits into water and land.

In the aquatic ecosystem, mercury enters the food chain, thereby exposing humans and wildlife when contaminated fish are consumed. Exposure to high levels of mercury has been associated with serious neurological and developmental damage to humans. Depending on the dose, the effects range from subtle losses of sensory or cognitive ability, delays in developmental milestones (e.g. walking, talking), to birth defects, tremors, convulsions and even death. 1

Coal-Burning Power Plants are the Single Largest Source of Mercury Pollution
Coal-fired electric power plants are far and away the single biggest source of mercury pollution in the US. They are responsible for 34% of the total mercury emitted by all known sources. 2 In total, more than 99% of mercury emissions from power plants are from coal-fired plants.

According to EPA, mercury from coal-fired power plants is the hazardous air pollutant of greatest public health concern from utilities. Overall, coal-fired power plants emitted 46 tons of mercury in 1990. Their mercury emissions jumped by 10% in 1994 to 51 tons, and are expected to climb again to 60 tons in 2010, a 33% increase over 1990 levels. Increasing mercury emissions from power plants corresponds with growing health and environmental problems caused by mercury pollution.

Loophole Helps Keep Oldest, Dirtiest Coal-Burning Power Plants Going
Today the vast majority of coal- and oil-fired power plants have avoided the most protective air emissions standards. When the Clean Air Act was amended in 1970 and 1977, the power industry argued that many of the nation's older power plants would be retired and replaced by cleaner, new power plants and therefore should be exempt from new emission regulations. However, for a variety of reasons, most of these plants have not retired. Because of this grandfathering loophole, coal-fired power plants are largely exempt from modern, state-of-the-art pollution control requirements. Their special treatment also means that power plants are the only major source of mercury to escape pollution control.

As a result of this "pollution subsidy", the industry is relying on its oldest, dirtiest plants more than ever. For instance, between 1992 and 1998, the amount of electricity generated from dirty and old "grandfathered" coal-fired power plants increased by almost 16%. 3

In stark contrast to coal burning utilities, the other major sources of mercury pollution have done their fair share to reduce mercury emissions. Industrial demand for mercury decreased by more than 75% from 1988 to 1996 as a result of pollution prevention efforts and restrictions on mercury in paints and pesticides. 4

Mercury from Coal-Burning Power Plants Threatens Our Health
Human exposure to mercury occurs primarily through eating contaminated fish from rivers and lakes. Mercury contamination is responsible for 60% of state fish consumption advisories and is the most frequent reason for issuing advisories.

Awareness of mercury contamination is growing: forty states have issued advisories for one or more water bodies, and ten states have issued statewide mercury warnings. Commonly consumed ocean fish are also contaminated with mercury, with the highest levels found in shark, swordfish and tuna.

Mercury from Coal-Burning Power Plants Damages the Environment
In addition to the adverse human health impacts, mercury exposure also harms wildlife, with fish-eating birds and mammals receiving the highest exposures. Documented adverse effects in birds and mammals include reduced reproductive success, impaired growth and development, behavioral abnormalities, and death. 5

Dirty Power Plants Must Be Forced to Reduce Mercury Emissions
In order to ensure the safety of our food supply and the health of millions of Americans who eat fish, we must reduce current levels of mercury pollution from combustion sources -- particularly from coal-fired power plants.

Footnotes:

1) US EPA, "Mercury Study Report to Congress," (1997).

2) US EPA, Office of Water, "Air Pollution and Water Quality: Atmospheric Deposition Initiative: Where is the air pollution coming from?" Available at: www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/airdep/index.html

3) US PIRG and Environmental Working Group, "Up In Smoke," (Compiled from US Department of Energy (DOE) and USEPA data).

4) US EPA, "Mercury Study Report to Congress," (1997).

5) Ibid.