OCEANA'S CAMPAIGN TO STOP SEAFOOD CONTAMINATION
Read on for the latest news in our efforts to stop mercury contamination in seafood.
New Report: Ashta Chemicals Still Emitting Mercury
Every year, industrial factories report to the United States Toxics Release Inventory the amounts of pollutants emitted or discharged into the environment. For years, environmentally conscientious citizens could rely on this self-reported data to better understand where toxins were entering the environment. However, in last year's Toxics Release Inventory, Ashta Chemicals (one of the last mercury-based chlorine factories in the country) reported to the Environmental Protection Agency that the factory emitted zero pounds of mercury into the air and zero pounds of mercury into Lake Erie. Oceana performed air testing around the Ashta Chemicals factory in June 2009 to validate the figures reported to the EPA. Ashta Chemicals, he smallest of four remaining mercury-based chloralkali plants in the United States is the unmistakable source of elevated mercury air concentrations detected downwind of the plant during two days of air monitoring conducted by Oceana in June of 2009. Read the full report here.
Mercury Pollution Reduction Act of 2009
The Mercury Pollution Reduction Act, H.R. 2190 in the House and S. 1428 in the Senate, would prohibit the use of mercury in chlorine production. In order to continue operations, the outdated "Foul Four" chlorine plants would need to update their equipment to modern technology that doesn't utilize or release mercury.
On June 3, 2009, the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection moved the bill to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee for their consideration. The Senate version of the bill was introduced on July 9.
The bill will require four heavily-polluting chlor-alkali plants to clean up their act. While coal-fired power plants top the list of mercury emitters, the "foul four"are responsible for the emitting hundreds of pounds of mercury into the environment every year.
Please contact Congress in support of this important bill now!
Oceana publishes new report: Hidden Costs
Mercury-based chlorine production emits hundreds of pounds of mercury pollution every year, and costs society millions of dollars in reduced economic productivity. Oceana has just published a new report, Hidden Costs, that calculates the cost to society from mercury pollution from chlorine factories. Only four factories in the United States continue to use an antiquated mercury-based process, but the pollution from these factories costs society millions of dollars annually. Download the full report here, and the press release here.
Legislation Introduced to Eliminate Mercury Pollution from Chlor-Alkali
Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) has introduced HR 2190 - the Mercury Pollution Reduction Act of 2009. This bill, if passed, would eliminate mercury use at the last four mercury-based chlor-alkali facilities in the country - the Foul Four. The Foul Four have collectively emitted tons of mercury into the environment despite mercury-free technology being readily available. Already, nearly 95 percent of the chlorine production capacity in the country uses mercury-free processes. If passed, the Mercury Pollution Reduction Act of 2009 would require these facilities to eliminate mercury use in their processes within 24 months of passage. Aside from the environmental benefits of mercury-free technology, the new process is also significantly more energy efficient and can pay for itself in five years, according to our report Cleaning Up. Read the bill here, and download the press release on the bill introduction here.
Oceana Announces Intent to Sue PPG Industries for Mercury Pollution
Oceana, in partnership with West Virginia Rivers Coalition, notified PPG Industries of its intent to sue over violations of the company's Clean Water Act mercury discharge limit. The groups are represented by Public Justice and the Appalachian Center for the Economy and the Environment. PPG Industries operates a mercury-based chlor-alkali facility in Natrium, West Virginia, that discharges mercury directly into the Ohio River. In 2006, PPG's Natrium factory discharged 34 pounds of mercury directly to the river - more than any other source of mercury water discharge in West Virginia. While PPG is allowed to discharge a certain amount of mercury into the Ohio River, the company has been in violation of its permit according to its own monitoring reports. Fortunately, the factory would not have to shut down to stop its mercury releases: only about 25% of PPG's chlorine production in Natrium is based on mercury-cell technology; and this portion of the factory can be upgraded to newer, more energy efficient membrane technology. Download Oceana's press release here and the notice of intent here.
No Excuses: Communities At Risk Without Mercury-Free Technology
Four mercury-based chlorine factories (the "Foul Four") continue to release thousands of pounds of mercury into our environment. Mercury-free processes have readily existed for three decades but the Foul Four have refused to modernize. In a new report from Oceana, the fate of these last four factories is evaluated. It is likely that the Foul Four will close within four to seven years unless they switch to mercury-free technology. Modernizing to mercury-free technology would not only eliminate a ton of mercury pollution from the Foul Four, but it would also save approximately 500 jobs at these facilities. Get the full report here
Victory! Costco agrees to post warnings!
After three years, in response to over 8,000 requests from customers, Costco has finally agreed to display the FDA advice about mercury and seafood in their stores. As one of the most popular wholesale grocers in the nation, Costco plays an important role in helping its customers make informed and healthy choices when it comes to seafood. By increasing access to this simple information, Costco is doing its part to warn its members about mercury and its devastating effects on human health. Read more about this important victory...
Oceana's Interactive Grocery Store Map
- Click the image above to take our interactive map for a spin!
For the past year, we've been working with supermarkets all across the country to get the Food and Drug Administration's advice on mercury in fish posted at their seafood counters.
Now the time has come to reveal which supermarkets are stepping up to the plate (Green) and which aren't (Red).
Try our new Interactive Grocery Store Map to find your grocer and see if they are on the Green or Red List!
Cleaning Up
Oceana's report adds up the costs of using mercury in chlorine production and notes the benefits of mercury-free technology. Since 1974, at least 115 chlorine factories have decided to switch, or are currently switching, to mercury-free technology around the world. The new technology is more energy efficient and can be used to increase chlorine production. It may seem expensive to convert, but the technology can pay for itself in less than five years. Get the full report.
