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Almost two decades ago Congress ordered the EPA to curb toxic mercury pollution from more than 150 cement kilns in 38 states. The EPA, ignoring The Clean Air Act, along with several subsequent Federal Court Orders, has been dragging its feet and since 1990, corporations have been reaping billions in profits with no legal obligation to clean up the 23,000 pounds of airborne mercury emitted per year. The EPA estimates that only half this amount is emitted per year. But the 23,000 pounds of emissions is the result of a new study by Earth Justice and their partner, Environmental Integrity Project. The study also found that when the cement kilns were required by state officials to conduct emission tests, the measured levels were, on average, ten times higher than previously reported. California is the nation’s leader in cement production, with kilns located within major residential areas, alongside schools and neighboring farms, as well as in close proximity to the already mercury-contaminated San Francisco Bay and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. But this month marked a change under the new Administration. On April 21 the EPA has announced a settlement agreement with Earth Justice, and the regulation of toxic mercury emissions from cement kilns.

GUEST: James Pew, staff attorney with Earth Justice.

Read the report, Cementing a Toxic Legacy at http://www.earthjustice.org/library/reports/ej_eip_kilns_web.pdf.

Read more about Mercury pollution at: www.earthjustice.org/mercury.

Send an email to the EPA at http://action.earthjustice.org/campaign/mercury_0409