Bill > HCM2003

This Concurrent Memorial urges the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate manganese as a "criteria pollutant" under the national ambient air quality standards, which are regulations for common outdoor air pollutants harmful to public health and the environment. The memorial highlights concerns about the health impacts of manganese exposure, particularly for workers in mines, citing potential nervous system damage and respiratory issues like pneumonia, with severe cases leading to a condition called "manganism." It also points out that manganese is crucial for electric vehicle batteries, a key component in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, yet the United States heavily relies on imports for this mineral, with demand expected to surge. The memorial references the EPA's existing authority under the Clean Air Act to set standards for hazardous air pollutants and national ambient air quality standards, and it specifically requests that manganese be added to the latter to address the public health risks associated with its mining.