Campaigns
No More Free Ride for Cement Kilns
In Brief: Over 100 cement kilns release at least 12,000 pounds of mercury pollution annually, yet the EPA still has failed to issue strong protections limiting cement kiln mercury emissions. Earthjustice is challenging EPA's failure to protect the environment and our health.
Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that can cause developmental problems during pregnancy and in young children. Because mercury builds up in fish in nearly every stream, river, and lake in America, at least 40 states have warnings against consuming fish from certain waterways.
Yet across America, more than 100 cement plants spew a continuous stream of toxic pollutants into the air we breathe. The kilns in these plants are also releasing huge amounts of mercury and other toxic pollutants into the environment by burning coal and raw materials.
In December 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed rule that requires no mercury reductions (and inadequate reductions of other air toxics) from coal-fired cement plants, even though cement plants across the country released at least 12,000 pounds of mercury into the air in 2003.
Biggest Cement Kiln Mercury Polluters (2006)
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Interactive Map of Cement Kilns in the U.S.
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Earthjustice ran this ad October 28, 2007, in the Albany Times Union. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is considering including mercury limits in a state air pollution permit for the Lafarge cement kiln. Cement kilns in New York emit nearly 600 pounds of mercury pollution every year and the state has already issued fish consumption advisories for 92 specific waterbodies or sections of waterbodies. Commissioner Pete Grannis needs to hear that we want to protect our health by limiting mercury pollution from cement kilns.
Click here to see full-size ad. |
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Midlothian, Texas -- the self-described "Cement Capital of Texas" is home to three cement facilities that operate a total of ten kilns. These kilns are not located far from local schools and homes. |
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The group Downwinders at Risk has been working to limit pollution from cement kilns located in Midlothian, TX and throughout the Lone Star State. |
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This cement plant in Alpena, MI has been a major source of toxic air pollutants for nearly a century. |
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These cement kilns in Alpena, MI border Lake Huron. Recent news reports showed that proposed kiln construction will result in more than 500 pounds of mercury pollution each year. |
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The local group Huron Environmental Activist League has been actively working to limit pollution from this cement kiln in Alpena, MI. This cement kiln is also Michigan’s largest off-site hazardous waste incinerator. |
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This cement kiln is located just off California’s scenic coastal highway, only a few hundred feet from nearby homes. |
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