Obama Administration Finalizes Life-Saving Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Standards are expected to save 11,000 lives each year

(December 21, 2011)—

The American Lung Association today applauds the Obama Administration for adopting public health safeguards to reduce mercury and toxic air pollution from power plants.  The new Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Power Plants are long overdue and will reduce the harm from air pollution like mercury, lead, arsenic and a host of other pollutants. “Cleaner, healthier air will save lives,” said Edward Miller, Senior VP of Health Promotion and Public Policy for the American Lung Association in New England.  The standards will help protect children, seniors and people with chronic lung diseases like asthma.”   

Air pollution emitted by coal-fired power plants contains 84 of the 187 hazardous pollutants identified for control by the EPA. Many of these pollutants, such as, dioxins, arsenic, and lead, can cause cancer and cardiovascular disease; harm the kidneys, lungs, and nervous system; and even kill. The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards will reduce these pollutants and prevent 130,000 asthma attacks and 11,000 premature deaths each year.

The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments required tighter standards on power plants in an effort to reduce toxic emissions in communities across the country. However, big polluters have fought for and won delays for more than 21 years. 

 “Today’s action means that people will soon begin to breathe easier,” continues Miller. “No more delays for healthier air. Here in New England, we're especially thankful for this rule, as our location makes us more vulnerable to out-of-state air pollution. Healthy air is not a Democratic issue, or a Republican issue, but it's certainly a New England issue.”

To join the fight for healthy air, visit www.FightingforAir.org. To see how your state ranked in the American Lung Association's most recent State of the Air report, visit www.StateoftheAir.org.

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About the American Lung Association in New England
The American Lung Association of New England is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis; our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. ALANE serves CT, MA, ME, NH, RI and VT.