EPA Study: Widespread Contamination of Fish
Fish in U.S. lakes and reservoirs have harmful levels of mercury and other toxic chemicals
Contacts
Raviya Ismail, Earthjustice, (202) 667-4500, ext. 221
Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a study showing high concentrations of toxic chemicals in fish tissue from lakes and reservoirs in nearly all 50 states.
Earthjustice has challenged EPA to clean up air emissions from hazardous waste incinerators, cement kilns and other industrial sources. The following statement is from Earthjustice attorney James Pew:
“We’ve continually raised concerns about the dangers of eating mercury-contaminated fish. We applaud EPA for highlighting this dangerous phenomenon and acknowledging the fact that burning more fossil fuels leads to more chemicals in our water bodies and in fish.
“We’re pleased the agency has committed to developing new rules to reduce mercury and other toxic emissions from power plants and cement kilns.”
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About Earthjustice
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
