The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a new rule regarding emissions from mercury cell chlor-alkali plants. This proposal aims to address standards for mercury and chlorine emissions to ensure they do not pose an unacceptable risk to public health or the environment. The EPA suggests that current practices at the one remaining operating facility sufficiently minimize emissions through monitoring and work procedures, but is also soliciting comments on technological advances and more stringent measures, like prohibiting mercury use altogether. Additionally, changes are proposed for record-keeping, electronic reporting, and ensuring emissions controls are effective during startup and shutdown periods. Public input is requested to ensure standards are protective and realistic.
Simple Explanation
The EPA wants to make sure a factory that uses mercury to make some stuff is safe for people and the earth, so they're checking up on it and thinking about new rules to make it safer, like keeping a closer eye on it and doing more reporting. They also want to know what everyone thinks about these ideas before they decide.