by Shane Henson — December 28, 2012—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has finalized changes to Clean Air Act standards for boilers and certain incinerators that will achieve extensive public health protections by slashing toxic air pollution, including mercury and particle pollution. The Clean Air Act is the law that defines EPA’s responsibilities for protecting and improving the nation’s air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer.
The final adjustments to standards for boilers and certain incinerators are based on an extensive analysis of data and input from states, environmental groups, industry, lawmakers and the public, says the EPA. As a result of information gathered through this review, including significant dialogue and meetings with public health groups, industry, and the public, the final rule dramatically cuts the cost of implementation by individual boilers that EPA proposed in 2010. At the same time, these rules will continue to deliver significant public health benefits.
According to the EPA, particle pollution and other harmful pollutants released by boilers and incinerators can lead to adverse health effects, including cancer, heart disease, aggravated asthma and premature death. The new standards will avoid up to 8,100 premature deaths, prevent 5,100 heart attacks and avert 52,000 asthma attacks per year in 2015, asserts the EPA. The EPA also estimates that for every dollar spent to reduce these pollutants, the public will see $13 to $29 in health benefits.
According to the EPA, the rules set numerical emission limits for less than one percent of boilers—those that emit the majority of pollution from this sector. For these high-emitting boilers and incinerators, typically operating at refineries, chemical plants and other industrial facilities, EPA is establishing more targeted emissions limits that protect public health and provide industry with practical, cost-effective options to meet the standards.
