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EPA Tightens Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Coal Plants
EPA Tightens Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Coal Plants
Natalie Johnson
Posted 04/12/2023
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal on April 5, 2023, that will tighten existing rules to further limit the emissions of mercury produced by coal-fired power plants. Coal plants are the largest source of mercury pollution in the United States. In 2017 alone 8,800 pounds of mercury emissions were released.
The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), enacted in 2012, have already reduced mercury emissions by 90%. The new proposal, which is expected to be finalized in 2024, proposes a 70% reduction in the emissions limit for mercury from lignite-fired sources. Lignite is a type of coal that is considered low grade and high polluting. While lignite plants only account for 8% of the total coal production in the US, the five highest polluting coal plants on the map below burn lignite coal.
Environmental Defense Fund
The revisions will require all coal plants to achieve the same level of emission performance. Currently MATS requires lignite plants to meet a mercury emission standard of 4lbs per trillion British thermal units, while other coal plants are required to limit their emissions to 1.2lbs. The EPA believes this revision is necessary to protect the health of all Americans.
How is Mercury Released into the Environment?
Burning coal produces coal ash, also known as coal combustion residuals. Coal contains a high mercury concentration, and the metal is released in the combustion process.
One power plant can generate 100-300+ pounds of ash for every ton of coal burned. For plants with large generators that burn around 3 million tons of coal each year, 150,000-450,000 tons of coal ash are released.
Inside Climate News
Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature, when heated the liquid will evaporate into mercury vapor. This vapor is released through smokestacks at plants and most mercury will fall within 9 miles of the smokestack contaminating the surrounding soil and water.
Mercury also contaminates settling ponds used by power plants to discharge wastewater. Plants use water to cool and sluice bottom ash away from the boiler for final disposal. A typical sluice system collects ash from the furnace in an ash hopper, transports this ash through a sluice pipeline, and then dumps the mixture into a pond. These ash ponds pose a significant risk to the environment as mercury and other contaminates can leach into the ground water polluting private wells and waterways.
How does Mercury Impact Humans?
Once mercury reaches waterways it poses a risk to those who drink, bathe, and swim in contaminated water. Individuals residing near coal-fired power plants face a disproportionate level of mercury pollution.
Mercury travels up the food chain to humans as bacteria in water can change it to methylmercury which is absorbed by aquatic organisms. When fish consume these organisms, mercury builds up in fish tissue as it binds to the protein in muscles. Mercury cannot be removed through cooking or cleaning, which is why nearly all fish in the US contain traces of methylmercury and there are consumption advisories in all 50 states.
Coosa Riverkeeper
Mercury exposure damages the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. It has the potential to increase cancer risk and cause developmental delays in children. Fetuses are especially vulnerable to neurocognitive deficits and other birth defects while in their mother’s womb, making it imperative for pregnant women to remove fish and shellfish from their diet.
The revised standards would reduce mercury pollution thereby protecting public health and advancing environmental justice. The EPA believes that under the Clean Air Act they have an obligation to revise the existing standards to further regulate toxic emissions.
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Happy Manufacturing Day 2024! MFG Day, celebrated each year on the first Friday in October, was created by the Manufacturing Institute, which is the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. Events continue throughout the month.Â
Happy Manufacturing Day 2024! MFG Day, celebrated each year on the first Friday in October, was created by the Manufacturing Institute, which is the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. Events continue throughout the month.Â
According to OSHA, every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in hot or humid conditions. OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention campaign educates employers and workers on heat hazards and provides resources to keep workers safe. Let’s dive into OSHA’s heat illness prevention information for the workforce, what your employer’s responsibilities are, and ways you can keep yourself safe from the dangers and risks of heat illness.
According to OSHA, every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in hot or humid conditions. OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention campaign educates employers and workers on heat hazards and provides resources to keep workers safe. Let’s dive into OSHA’s heat illness prevention information for the workforce, what your employer’s responsibilities are, and ways you can keep yourself safe from the dangers and risks of heat illness.
Augmented reality (AR) is emerging as a solution to enhance maintenance programs and mitigate the technician shortage. AR for maintenance has the potential to transform organizations' maintenance programs by improving maintenance efficiency and accuracy in a time when skilled technicians are in high demand.
Augmented reality (AR) is emerging as a solution to enhance maintenance programs and mitigate the technician shortage. AR for maintenance has the potential to transform organizations' maintenance programs by improving maintenance efficiency and accuracy in a time when skilled technicians are in high demand.
It's finally getting warmer! That means it's time to start thinking about spring cleaning in manufacturing plants. No matter the type of organization, regularly maintaining the cleanliness of equipment is essential to operational excellence and safety. Let's see what the experts have to say about well-cleaned equipment and why it is important in your reliability and maintenance program.
It's finally getting warmer! That means it's time to start thinking about spring cleaning in manufacturing plants. No matter the type of organization, regularly maintaining the cleanliness of equipment is essential to operational excellence and safety. Let's see what the experts have to say about well-cleaned equipment and why it is important in your reliability and maintenance program.
As summer starts to slow down, we are gearing up for the SAP for Asset and Service Management Conference this autumn. Bringing together both asset performance and field service management in an SAP-centric context, this is the only event of its kind in Europe. SAP’s rich ecosystem of customers, partners, and solution experts will gather in the beautiful city of Porto, Portugal to explore the future of collaborative, data-driven, and intelligent asset and field service management.
As summer starts to slow down, we are gearing up for the SAP for Asset and Service Management Conference this autumn. Bringing together both asset performance and field service management in an SAP-centric context, this is the only event of its kind in Europe. SAP’s rich ecosystem of customers, partners, and solution experts will gather in the beautiful city of Porto, Portugal to explore the future of collaborative, data-driven, and intelligent asset and field service management.
Mechanical insulation is referred to some in the industry as the "forgotten technology" or the "best kept secret." Why is it so often overlooked? What is mechanical insulation and how is it used? What are the best ways to use it in the manufacturing industry? Why should companies consider using mechanical insulation in their plants?Â
Mechanical insulation is referred to some in the industry as the "forgotten technology" or the "best kept secret." Why is it so often overlooked? What is mechanical insulation and how is it used? What are the best ways to use it in the manufacturing industry? Why should companies consider using mechanical insulation in their plants?Â
We are constantly reading news about industrial accidents and safety violations. Coming up on Safe+Sound Week, why don’t we focus on something positive? This week, we are highlighting OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).
We are constantly reading news about industrial accidents and safety violations. Coming up on Safe+Sound Week, why don’t we focus on something positive? This week, we are highlighting OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).
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