The EPA recently announced that it would be implementing long over-due power plant emissions standards for mercury and air toxics such as arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium and cyanide. This is significant in that it helps to protect families and communities from the side effects of exposure to these pollutants and in that there has never been a standard such as this although amendments to the Clean Air Act were passed over 20 years ago. This is of particular importance to me as the mother of small children living in a metropolitan area. The occurrence of asthma and other respiratory illnesses among young children has long been associated with air pollution, especially in minority urban communities.
What's even better is the cost savings in terms of health care. According to the EPA, the value of the air quality improvements for people's health alone totals 37 to 90 billion dollars each year! Also, over half a million "sick" days will be averted leading to higher productivity for workers and lower health care costs for American families.
In addition, it is well known that mercury accumulation in certain types of fish can be very hazardous to pregnant women and unborn children. However, fish is also widely considered to be a healthy food choice. Maybe this new standard will over time, allow us to buy tuna and other types of fish without worrying so much about mercury accumulation in our bodies. This is certainly a step toward holding polluters more accountable as well as overall care for human health. For more information take a look here and here. Let me know what you think!
