Mercury from Chlorine Plants

Babies and children exposed to mercury can suffer from impaired abilities to develop and learn.

Case Overview

Mercury is a well-known byproduct of burning coal in power plants, but another source—chlorine plants—goes unmeasured, let alone regulated. An Earthjustice lawsuit sought to force the Environmental Protection Agency to correct this dangerous situation.

Pittsburgh Plate Glass Chlorine Plant, New Martinsville, West Virginia.
The Pittsburgh Plate Glass Chlorine Plant in New Martinsville, WV, in 1943. (Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc. via Library of Congress)

Case Updates

February 17, 2004 Press Release

EPA Failing to Protect Americans from Chlorine Plant Mercury Emissions

Groups sue over Clean Air Act violations