Toxic Mercury

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that damages the brain and the nervous system. Exposure to mercury is especially dangerous for pregnant women and young children, as it can cause developmental problems, learning disabilities, and delayed onset of walking and talking.

President Obama and EPA Issue Strong Mercury Protections

On December 21, 2011, we are all applauding the Environmental Protection Agency and the Obama administration for issuing the first-ever nationwide protections against toxic mercury from dirty power plants. Hundreds of thousands of Americans spoke up for these vital safeguards via public comments, rallies, hearings, mercury teach-ins, and so much more. This is an epic victory we can all call our own.

These landmark protections will cut over 90 percent of this toxic pollutant from coal-fired power plants, and will dramatically clean up our nation's air and significantly reduce children's exposure to life-threatening and cancerous heavy metals and air toxics, including mercury, arsenic, and chromium.

Tell President Obama and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson "thank you!" for putting families first and standing strong against the corporate polluters and industry lobbyists who tried to block these protections.

Safe Sushi

Love sushi?  Next time you order, choose fish that is low in mercury. Check out our Safe Sushi poster and start making smart choices today!

Mercury Makes Us Sick

Coal-fired power plants are the largest domestic source of federally unregulated mercury pollution in the United States, emitting approximately 33 tons of toxic mercury each year [1].

Find out more.

 ¹ Madsen, Travis and L. Randall, "America's Biggest Mercury Polluters." Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group, November 2011. p. 12.