Strip mines, mountaintop removal, polluted watersheds, Black Lung, mercury poisoning, airborne lead and other toxic pollutants, and acid rain.

FORBES: Coal Imports Bolster India's Private Ports

McCarthy would succeed Lisa Jackson, who was repeatedly forced to defend her EPA stance favoring tougher federal standards on toxic pollutants and mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants.

CNN: Obama's new Cabinet picks face big challenges

The companies and the unions have said a new regulation targeting mercury and other toxic pollutants, due to be proposed this week, could lead to higher electric bills, billions of dollars in new costs and the closing of plants that employ thousands of workers.

WSJ: EPA Tangles With New Critic: Labor

So far the most toxic of pollutants from ships, like sulfur dioxide, have been the main focus of the IMO program and also other regional regulations.

CNN: Shipping looks to clean up its act

The EPA rule stirring the most anxiety will be proposed this week: It seeks to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants, including mercury, which can cause neurological disorders in children.

WSJ: EPA Tangles With New Critic: Labor

Putting the cart before the horse, the EPA issued preliminary clean up goals for dioxin on December 31, 2009 before the agency had completed a new risk assessment on the chemical, widely perceived as one of most toxic environmental pollutants (the assessment is due by the end of this year).

FORBES: Is The EPA About To Shut Down Urban Renewal Across The U.S.?