7 Northeast States Petition EPA to Limit Mercury Emissions

By Aaron Poehler

Published on October 31, 2008

Seven Northeastern U.S. states have petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to limit toxic mercury emissions originating from sources outside of the region that contaminate waterways and fish.

The seven states involved include the six New England states -- Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont -- along with New York, working in conjunction with the nonprofit New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC).

In the 237-page petition filed Tuesday with the EPA, the states requested that the EPA take measures to reduce the amounts of mercury deposited in the Northeast from sources outside the region, in accordance with the results of studies which have demonstrated that the overwhelming majority of mercury deposited in the states' waters originates from out-of-region sources, such as coal-fired power plants.

High levels of mercury such as can be found in contaminated freshwater fish can cause a wide range of medical issues when consumed by humans, from impaired cognition and sleep disturbances to severe nervous system impairment including psychotic reactions, hallucinations, and suicidal tendencies.

 

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