The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) were finalized in 2011 and currently regulate emissions of mercury, acid gases, and other hazardous air pollutants from US electric utilities. The MATS rule is expected to reduce mercury emissions from the power sector by 90%, improve public health, and play an integral role in meeting US commitments under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

A proposal to weaken the MATS rule is currently under interagency review at the Office of Management and Budget and could result in lifting limits on mercury emissions.

BRI and collaborators have issued a background summary paper called Mercury Matters 2018: A Science Brief for Journalists and Policymakers to provide context including the most up-to-date research on the health and environmental effects of mercury, the improvements that have occurred since the adoption of MATS, and evidence that the health benefits of reducing mercury have been substantially underestimated.

Since publishing the science brief, this story has been covered by numerous news outlets including:

• Bangor Daily News
• Center for American Progress
• Clean Technica
• Daily Mail
• Energy Reporters
• The Guardian
• The Irish Times
• NPR
• Reuters
• Slate
• USA Today
• WAER Syracuse University
• WBUR, On Point
• The Washington Post