ENVIRO-NEWS

EPA Proposes to Cut Mercury Emissions from Sewage Sludge Incinerators

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Oct 1, 2010 12:36 PM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] EPA Proposes to Cut Mercury Emissions from Sewage Sludge Incinerators
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 11:23 AM
Subject: Air News Release (HQ): EPA Proposes to Cut Mercury Emissions
from Sewage Sludge Incinerators

CONTACTS:
Cathy Milbourn
milbourn.cathy@epa.gov
202-564-7849
202-564-4355

Enesta Jones
jones.enesta@epa.gov
202-564-7873
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2010

EPA Proposes to Cut Mercury Emissions from Sewage Sludge Incinerators

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing
to cut emissions of mercury, particle pollution and other harmful
pollutants from sewage sludge incinerators, the sixth-largest source of
mercury air emissions in the United States. Mercury can damage
children's developing brains, and particle pollution is linked to a
variety of serious health effects, including aggravated asthma, heart
attacks and premature death in people with heart and lung disease.

Sewage sludge incinerators are typically located at wastewater treatment
facilities. The proposed standards would apply to both multiple hearth
and fluidized bed incinerators. Units incinerating sewage sludge at
other types of facilities such as commercial, industrial and
institutional incinerators will be covered under different air pollution
standards. Overall, the proposal would cut mercury emissions from these
units by more than 75 percent.

Mercury in the air eventually deposits into water, where it changes into
methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish. People are
primarily exposed to mercury by eating contaminated fish. Because the
developing fetus is the most sensitive to the toxic effects of
methylmercury, women of childbearing age and children are regarded as
the populations of greatest concern.

EPA estimates that the proposal would yield health benefits ranging from
$130 million to $320 million in 2015, with annualized costs estimated at
approximately $105 million for all currently operating units to comply
with the proposal standards.

EPA will take comment on the proposed rule for 30 days after it is
published in the Federal Register. The rule will be finalized in 2011
and become effective in 2015.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/new.html

R322
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