Welcome to ProtectBabies.org, a project of Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture). This webpage is designed to empower you to take action today to reduce toxic mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Welcome to ProtectBabies.org, a project of Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture). This webpage is designed to empower you to take action today to reduce toxic mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Toxic mercury pollution from power plants threatens the health of women and their babies. It has been estimated that more than 600,000 women of childbearing age nationwide have amounts of mercury in their blood over the level set as safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Academy of Sciences. Unsafe levels of mercury in mothers' blood and breast milk can interfere with the proper development of babies' brains and neurological systems and can lead to learning and attention disabilities, problems with coordination, lowered IQs and even mental retardation.
Recent progress at the federal level
In December 2011, President Obama signed into law regulations that restrict toxic pollution, including mercury — a proven neurotoxin, from power plants. These regulations are long overdue and will help protect babies from mercury pollution, which can cause brain damage and other neurological problems.
Possible threats by Congress
Congressional opponents of mercury regulation are putting the financial well-being of the dirty fuels industry above babies' health by threatening to invoke a legislative maneuver called a Congressional Review Act resolution to kill the new law. We're keeping a close eye on this and, if the threat materializes, we'll let you know what you can do to help defeat this effort.