Accumulation of aluminum, lead, mercury, and other substances in the body is likely to lead to disease. U.S. coal-fired power plants generate over 130 million tons of toxic coal ash annually, and yet there are no specific federal regulations governing its disposal. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can change that by labeling coal ash as a hazardous material, offering communities sufficient protection from this toxic substance.
It is clear from the list of more than 580 coal ash sites released on August 31 that this is not a state or local issue, but a threat to communities across the country. Coal ash contains arsenic, selenium, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, boron, thallium, and aluminum – those toxins can leach into groundwater. Clearly coal ash is waste that deserves more than a regular “household waste” classification.
Next to the state capital, in the Appalachian Mountains, the toxicity of the water is due to chemicals that cannot be tasted or smelled dumped in the ground from the mining. The enamel on the children’s teeth is dissolving and people are having extreme soars on their skin after a bath, according to a recent New York Times article. It said the chemicals can cause birth defects, learning disabilities, heart disease and cancer.
The EPA must create federally enforceable minimum standards, issue permits, conduct inspections of coal ash facilities, and – most importantly – enforce regulations for coal combustion wastes. Doing so will provide the critical nationwide consistency necessary for the protection of our communities.
Your support is important because the coal and power industries don’t want to clean up their mess. They’re pushing EPA hard to take the easy route and issue unenforceable guidance that won’t protect our health and environment.
Tell EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson that you support regulating coal ash as hazardous waste and prohibiting the creation of new ash ponds: http://action.earthjustice.org/campaign/coalash_0909/wxu5ggd4077dj5k6?
