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Help Reduce Mercury from Cement Kilns!

Across America, more than 100 cement plants spew a continuous stream of pollution into the air we breathe, releasing huge amounts of mercury and other toxic pollutants into the environment.

This past February, more than 11,000 Earthjustice supporters sent emails to the Environmental Protection Agency, calling for stronger protections against mercury pollution from cement kilns. This public outcry spurred EPA to reconsider its minimal approach to regulating some of the biggest sources of mercury pollution.

The agency recently published a revised rule limiting toxic pollution from cement kilns, but more can still be done. Now is the time to continue the pressure and send EPA a message: Mercury pollution from cement kilns has got to stop!

Personalized messages carry much more weight than form letters -- please take a moment to tell EPA why strong protections against mercury are important to you. Even changing the subject line can help your letter stand out!

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Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Reduce mercury pollution from cement kilns

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to call for stronger protections on mercury emissions from cement kilns (Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2002-0051).

Cement kilns emit thousands of pounds of mercury pollution each year. EPA has not taken this threat seriously in the past, proposing emission standards that did nothing to address this pollution source. The current rule fails to protect Americans from cement kilns' dangerous mercury emissions.

I demand that you protect public health and the environment from further mercury pollution by adopting emission standards that require the maximum degree in mercury reductions that can be achieved. The cement industry has reaped enormous profits in the past from making cement without controlling its toxic pollution. Bring this free ride to an end, and make the cement industry control its mercury emissions.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 19, 2006


Background Information

 
Cement plant in Midlothian, Texas, next to an elementary school

Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that can cause developmental problems in young children and during pregnancy. Because mercury persists in the environment, it bioaccumulates in fish in nearly every stream, river, and lake in America. Currently, at least 40 states have warnings against consuming fish from certain waterways.

Across America, more than 100 cement kilns spew mercury into surrounding communities. The raw materials they use, limestone and ash, contain mercury. The coal they burn to cook those raw materials also contains mercury. And, to make matters worse, they do a side business in burning mercury-containing waste, including old tires, garbage and medical waste.

Although cement kilns’ self-reported emission estimates revealed approximately 12,000 pounds of mercury emissions every year, it is likely that mercury emissions are much higher. One cement kiln in northern Michigan tested its emission levels recently, and had to report that it actually emits more than ten times the amount of mercury that it reported to EPA in 2003!

Earthjustice At Work

The EPA has failed to issue strong protections limiting mercury emissions and other air pollutants.

Earthjustice is challenging the agency’s failure to protect the environment and our health through the courts:

  • In communities all over the country, waste combustors emit tons of mercury, dioxins, and other toxic air pollutants, yet EPA is doing little to stop it. Learn about what Earthjustice is doing to clean up these polluters.

Unfortunately, although EPA has committed to reducing mercury pollution in our environment, and it is well known that cement kilns are responsible for thousands of pounds of mercury pollution every year, the agency has not taken real steps to address the problem. In a December 2005 rule regarding cement plant emissions, the agency included no requirements for mercury reductions for cement manufacturers.

In February 2006, Earthjustice supporters, along with a coalition of 16 public health and environmental organizations and hundreds of activists from across the country, sent in thousands of comments on EPA’s weak rule calling for stronger protections against mercury pollution from cement plants. Our combined efforts showed EPA that many citizens are concerned about cleaner air and keeping mercury pollution out of our communities. This March, the agency agreed to reevaluate its rule and consider setting mercury emission standards.

Now is the time to tell EPA that cleaner air and mercury reductions are important for every American. We need to protect public health and the environment; there are technologies that can reduce mercury pollution from cement plants effectively and cheaply, and it’s time to use them!

EPA Docket Center (6102T)
Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2002-0051
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
Washington, DC 20460