Young boy smiling in front of a tree.
My son, John John, playing outside.

As a mom, protecting my toddler son from all kinds of hazards is important and, honestly, a little daunting.

To consider that the air he breathes each day could be potentially harmful is scary.  However, we all have a chance to impact this issue.

Air toxics include some of the most hazardous air pollutants known to us. In addition to mercury and arsenic, coal-burning power plants emit lead, other heavy metals, dioxin and acid gases that threaten public health, child development, and our nation’s wildlife.

Mercury Threatens Brain Development

Mercury can be particularly dangerous to unborn babies and young children because as a neurotoxin, it can damage the developing nervous system and impair children’s thinking and learning.

For adults, mercury can harm peripheral vision, cause muscle weakness, affect coordination and impair speech, hearing and walking. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies, mercury contamination in the U.S. is so widespread, as many as one in six women of childbearing age is likely to have mercury levels in her blood high enough to put her baby at risk.

But don’t fret! You can help!

The EPA is proposing tighter limits on toxic air pollutants and you can help make sure they happen!  Send a message to the EPA in support of strong limits on mercury and air toxics. Your action will not only help protect loons (the bird, not your crazy cousin), but also the health of you and your children.

We make it easy – the letter is already written for you and will take less than a minute (I dare say 30 seconds) for you to edit and send.

According to the EPA’s analysis, each year the pollutant limits are in place will prevent as many as:

  • 120,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms
  • 11,000 fewer cases of acute bronchitis among children
  • 17,000 premature deaths
  • 11,000 heart attacks
  • 220,000 cases of respiratory symptoms
  • 12,000 emergency room and hospital visits

Speak Up to Stop Air Pollution Today

Take a minute and send a letter to the EPA in support of limits on toxic air pollution. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a huge impact for our nation’s children and our nation’s wildlife.