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CHICAGO – On Earth Day, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
signed a new law creating a statewide program to remove and collect
mercury-containing switches from retired vehicles before they are processed
as scrap metal and are emitted into the environment. Mercury is a highly
toxic heavy metal that can cause permanent brain damage, autism, deafness
and blindness as well as reduce IQs and slow motor functions. Recent
studies indicate that as many as 10 percent of babies born each year in the
United States are exposed to excessive mercury levels in the womb.
Until several years ago, many auto manufacturers used
mercury in automobile light switches and anti-lock brakes. When those
cars are scrapped and recycled (usually by melting down the steel), the
mercury is emitted to the environment. Each mercury switch contains 1
gram of mercury, which is enough to contaminate a 30-acre lake.
Illinois EPA estimates that the 280,000 vehicles junked annually in
Illinois contain between 400 and 800 pounds of mercury from light switches.
Once in the air, mercury can be deposited into rivers and lakes,
contaminating fish and getting into the food chain, where it can pose a
serious health risk. Steel mills that melt down metal switches are a
leading source of mercury emissions after coal-fired power plants.
Also today, the Governor renewed his call to the
Illinois Pollution Control Board to approve his proposal to cut mercury
emissions from power plants by 90 percent by June 30, 2009. The state
standards will reduce toxic mercury emissions faster and more thoroughly
than federal restrictions and will achieve the largest overall amount of
mercury reduction of any state in the country.
“Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that can
cause serious health problems like brain damage, autism, deafness and
blindness. What better day than Earth Day to reinforce our
commitment to removing mercury from our environment, and protecting
children, pregnant women, and everyone else whose health is put at risk by
mercury pollution?” said Gov. Blagojevich.
House Bill 5578, sponsored by Rep. Karen May (D-Highland
Park) and Sen. Terry Link (D-Lake Bluff), requires the removal of mercury
switches before vehicles are scrapped. This helps reduce toxic
mercury emitted from steel-making facilities in the region. Mercury
switches can be found in hood and trunk lighting of certain vehicles manufactured
before 2003, as well as anti-lock brake systems on some four-wheel drive
vehicles. Since scrap metal from shredded vehicles is used to produce
new steel in electric arc furnaces, removing the mercury switches before
the vehicle is scrapped will help reduce toxic mercury emitted from
steel-making facilities.
The new law requires automakers to create mercury switch
collection programs, offering storage containers to auto recyclers and
dismantlers, and arranging for transportation of the removed
switches. Participation by auto recyclers is voluntary during the
first two years, however if the switch capture rate doesn't meet the
required level after two years then it becomes mandatory for recyclers to
participate and automakers would then have to pay auto-recyclers for every
switch they remove. Illinois EPA is required to help the automakers
conduct outreach to inform auto recyclers about proper switch removal
practices and encourage participation in the voluntary program.
“I am pleased that Illinois is the first midwestern
state to address this environmental health hazard. Mercury causes
brain damage especially in children and passing this bill was a big
success. But, we must continue to work to get rid of mercury in our
environment and I am committed to doing just that,” said Rep. May.
“Mercury has become a serious environmental issue over
the past few years. Prior to that, we had no idea that mercury was so
harmful,” said Sen. Link. “It is imperative that we dispose of these
mercury switches in a safe and secure fashion. By disposing of these
switches properly, we can significantly reduce the pollutants in our air.”
“Earth Day reminds us in Illinois of our constitutional
right to a healthful environment,” Lt. Governor Pat Quinn said.
"I applaud Governor Blagojevich for his continued efforts to make
Illinois a leader in mercury removal and I salute Representative Karen May
and Senator Terry Link for their hard work to eliminate this toxic
pollutant from our environment."
“By eliminating the number two source of mercury
pollution in Illinois, we have made Illinois significantly safer,” stated
Illinois Environmental Council’s Executive Director Jonathan Goldman.
“Existing programs have shown that financial incentives significantly
increase the number of switches pulled,” stated IEC’s Jonathan Goldman
“Illinois’ program will be one of the toughest programs in the country.”
“This legislation will keep 800 pounds a year of toxic
mercury out of our environment, and Illinois PIRG applauds Rep. Karen May,
the Legislature, and Governor Blagojevich for it,” said Max Muller, Clean
Water Advocate for Environment Illinois, the new home of Illinois PIRG's
Environmental Program. “Meanwhile, thousands of pounds of toxic
mercury are still being emitted from coal-burning power plants across the
state. Governor Blagojevich has proposed a common-sense rule to
eliminate this toxic threat, and if approved this rule will make Illinois a
national leader in protecting generations of children from toxic mercury
pollution.”
“This legislation is the spark to protecting our
children and the environment from mercury harms,” said Howard Learner,
executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.
“Coal plants are the biggest mercury polluters. Now let’s get the
Governor’s mercury reduction plan in place to protect our kids’ health.”
In
January, Governor Blagojevich announced his proposal to aggressively cut
mercury emissions from Illinois power plants by 90 percent by mid
2009. These state standards will go far beyond (redundant of earlier
language) the federal Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) restrictions adopted
last spring and would make Illinois a national leader in efforts to reduce
toxic emissions into the environment.
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued
CAMR on March 10, 2005, which required coal-fired power plants to reduce
mercury emissions by 47 percent by 2010, and 79 percent by 2018. The
proposed Illinois rules are significantly stronger, requiring a 90 percent
emissions reduction by June 30, 2009, and prohibiting power plants from
purchasing allowances, or trading emissions credits with other companies or
states – practices that can lead to toxic “hot-spots” in areas where
individual plants are able to get around emissions standards.
In the U.S., an estimated 43 percent of mercury
emissions come from power plants, making them the largest man-made source
of mercury emissions. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
(IEPA) estimates that the state’s coal-fired power plants emit 3.5 tons of
mercury into the air every year.
The Governor’s proposed rules were filed March 14th
with the Illinois Pollution Control Board. The proposed rule for tougher
mercury standards will go before the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
(JCAR) this summer.
Mercury can cause serious health problems to the human
nervous system – pregnant women, women of childbearing age and children
younger than 15 years of age are especially at risk. Developing fetuses can
be exposed to mercury when a mother eats tainted fish and can suffer mental
retardation, cerebral palsy, lower IQs, slow motor functions, deafness,
blindness and other health problems. Recent studies indicate that as
many as 10 percent of babies born each year in the United States are
exposed to excessive mercury levels in the womb.
When mercury is released to the air, it can be deposited
into rivers and lakes, contaminating fish and getting into the food
chain. The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued a
statewide fish consumption advisory, warning pregnant women, nursing
mothers and young children to eat no more than one meal a week of predator
fish (e.g., bass, walleye and northern pike) caught in Illinois waters due
to high mercury concentrations. Mercury is especially toxic to
young children and fetuses. Long-term exposure to low levels of
mercury can harm the central nervous system and cause learning problems in
both humans and wildlife. The damage to the nervous system can include
lower intelligence and slowed motor function.
“Illinois is moving to protect our kids' health by
tackling the major sources of toxic mercury pollution one by one,” said
Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter. “Our
hospitals are cleaning up by closing their waste incinerators, we will no
longer burn or landfill car parts that contain mercury, and Governor
Blagojevich has proposed to cut 90% of the mercury coming out of our coal
plants. By taking these strong actions to clean up mercury pollution,
Illinois is not only protecting our children but also setting an example
for America to follow.”
Environmental consciousness has become part of
mainstream culture since the inception of Earth Day 36 years ago. Though it
is celebrated one day during the year, Gov. Blagojevich believes that
protecting, restoring, cleaning up, and preserving the environment is
something that should be celebrated on a year-round basis. Since coming
into office, Gov. Blagojevich has demonstrated his continually commitment
to improving the environment both in Illinois and regionally:
- In 2004, Gov.
Blagojevich called on 11 hospitals across the state that were still
burning medical waste to voluntarily shut down their
incinerators. Incinerators emit mercury and dioxins, which have
been linked to cancer, birth defects, and other health problems.
As a result of the Governor’s action, six incinerators have been shut
down, and four others have agreed to shutdown schedules.
- Focusing on retail
products, last year the Governor signed legislation that ended the
sale of mercury thermometers and novelty items. This is another step
to remove mercury from the waste stream and replace them with safer
available alternatives. This bill supports previous legislation that
further reduced mercury-containing products that pose a potential
health hazard to Illinois residents making schools, homes and other
buildings safer.
- Governor
Blagojevich, and state agencies are also making Illinois a leader in
the use of cleaner alternate fuels, such as E-85 ethanol, biodiesel
and hybrids through Executive Orders issued by the Governor relating
to the state vehicle fleet, numerous workshops around the state, a
rebate program and the Governor’s recent proposal for a $500 state tax
credit for certain fuel-efficient electric hybrid vehicles.
- In addition, the
Governor’s Clean School Bus Program is resulting in cleaner air for
thousands of Illinois school children as a result of grants for
retrofitting diesel buses with control equipment and use of cleaner
fuels, as well as investments made by private school bus operators.
- The Governor is also
very committed to encouraging clean coal technology and is
aggressively pursing the federal FutureGen demonstration project that
will use coal for power with virtually zero emissions.
- Continuing his push
to improve the regions air quality, Governor Blagojevich will send the
Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott to Washington, DC next week for an
important meeting with other top environmental officials representing
Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas and members
of the Ozone Transport Transmission.
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