Public health experts applaud EPA bid to update effluent standards
Changes would affect existing and new steam-electric power plants
The American Public Health Association (APHA) says it supports standards proposed recently by the EPA that would set the first-ever federal limits on toxic pollutants in wastewater discharged from coal-fired power plants. The contaminants, including mercury, lead, arsenic and selenium, can present a range of serious and lasting health effects leading to cardiovascular disease and cancer; damaging the nervous system, kidneys and liver; lowering IQ; and more.
EPA last updated the effluent guidelines and standards for steam-electric power plants in 1982. Since that time, the development of new technologies for generating electric power have altered the nature of wastewater streams and corresponding control technologies.