Policy Solutions

All Policy Documents Tagged mercury

Poisoning the Great Lakes
Mercury Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants In the Great Lakes Region

Report

Mercury emitted into the air from coal-fired power plants is by far the leading man-made source of mercury in the Great Lakes and the rivers and streams of the region. The report analyzed pollution data to determine the top 25 mercury emitting power plants in the Great Lakes states, and the top three in each state.

Testimony from Linda Greer on Mercury Legislation

Testimony

Testimony from Linda Greer, senior scientist and director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's public health program, on mercury legislation before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, May 13, 2008.

Compact Fluorescent Lights Are Safe for Your Home

Fact Sheet

CFLs are safe, and can help your family save energy and money. Get document in pdf.

Coal Is Hazardous to Your Health
Coal-fired power plants threaten the environment and your health.

Index

Burning coal releases enormous amounts of harmful pollutants into the air and water, with serious health consequences. Waste generated by coal-fired power plants contains hazardous pollutants that can contaminate our drinking water and cause cancer, birth defects and reproductive problems. This index of fact sheets describes the health hazards of our continued reliance on coal.

Accelerating the Greening of China
Promoting Cutting-edge Environmental Solutions in China

Index

In the past three decades, China's explosive growth has resulted in serious environmental problems with impacts beyond China's borders. NRDC is working with key Chinese government agencies, research institutes, lawyers and environmental groups to help promote cutting-edge environmental solutions in China. These factsheets describe NRDC's work to help address some of China's most pressing environmental challenges.

Support a Ban On U.S. Mercury Exports

Legislative Analysis

The United States should take strong measures against global mercury contamination by adopting a ban on the export of surplus mercury to the world market.

Getting Mercury Out of Paper Production

Fact Sheet

The paper industry has an important role to play in reducing toxic mercury pollution.

Lost and Found: Missing Mercury from Chemical Plants Pollutes Air and Water

Issue Paper

Mercury is an invisible, odorless poison that can pollute oceans and rivers, contaminate our food and seep into the air, potentially causing severe health problems when ingested by humans. A major source of this pollution is chlor-alkali chemical manufacturing plants. Not only do these plants release harmful mercury into the environment, but they also cannot account for tons of mercury "lost" each year, which likely ends up in the air we breathe.

Hidden Danger
Environmental Health Threats to the Latino Community

Report

Pollution poses health risks for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, or country of origin. A large percentage of U.S. Latinos, however, live and work in urban and agricultural areas where they face heightened danger of exposure to air pollution, unsafe drinking water, pesticides, and lead and mercury contamination. This October 2004 report underscores the urgent need for government action on these environmental health threats.