Two new studies released today will only serve to increase the public pressure on the EPA to regulate mercury emissions from cement kilns.
The first, a USGS study, found mercury contamination in every fish tested from 291 streams across the country and levels in more than two thirds of them were “a concern to fish eating mammals”. The study was conducted from 1998-2005 and represented bodies of water in undeveloped areas as well as those more directly influenced by industry. This alarming news has been called “irresponsible” and “deeply flawed” by the Center for Consumer Freedom, a nonprofit coalition representing the food service industry.
Compounding this was another study released by Duke University describing how natural processes help turn industrial mercury into methylmercury, a far more toxic form of the element.
At BGE we don’t know if the methodology or the conclusions of the USGS study are flawed, but we do know that 600+ Google News items today will assure that the findings are put in front of the eyeballs of tens of millions of consumers who will increase the pressure on lawmakers, flawed conclusions or not. The cement industry needs to prepare itself for the reality of impeding mercury regulation, and it needs to do it now.