美國紐澤西州環保部所提出的最新法規,近日已獲紐澤西中層級法院一致決通過,以保護人民免受鋼鐵冶鍊時的汞排放污染。
4月13日所公佈的該項決議,允許紐澤西州就國內4大汞排放來源——鋼鐵冶鍊廠、燃煤發電廠、都市固體廢棄物焚化爐與醫療廢棄物焚化爐,進行控管。紐澤西環保局於2004年11月4日首次提出控管鋼鐵冶鍊廠汞排放量的法規。
鋼鐵冶鍊廠是紐澤西最大汞排放來源,根據估計每年排放近1000磅的汞至當地環境之中。
此項法院決議大大提高紐澤西州透過規範四大排放源,以將汞遠離當地環境的成效。科學家估計,美國每年約有60萬名嬰幼兒,由於在母體內時就受到汞暴露污染,因此在出生時即患有神經系統問題,導致日後在校表現不佳。
In a unanimous decision, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey has affirmed the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's regulations to protect people from the impacts of mercury emissions from iron and steel melters.
The decision, released by the court April 13, allows the state to move forward with its efforts to address four of the largest in-state sources of mercury - iron and steel melters, coal-burning power plants, municipal solid waste incinerators, and medical waste incinerators.
On November 4, 2004, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, DEP, issued the first regulations ever to control mercury emissions from iron and steel melters.
Iron and steel melters, the largest New Jersey-based source of mercury emissions, emit an estimated 1,000 pounds of mercury into New Jersey's environment every year.
The court decision boosts the state's efforts to take mercury out of the environment by regulating all four of the largest sources.
Scientists estimate up to 600,000 U.S. children are born each year with neurological problems leading to poor school performance because of mercury exposure while in the womb.
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