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1988 Progress Report
Final Draft

Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy

IMPLEMENTING THE BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Implementation

Stakeholders Forum
November 16-17, 1998 - Chicago, Illinois

1998 Progress Report - Final Draft
 Overview of the Binational Toxics Strategy Implementation



Activities by Partners

The following section describes a diverse array of activities that have been undertaken by local, industrial, non-profit, Tribal, First Nation, State, Provincial, or Federal entities in the Great Lakes Basin and which are responsive to the goals and objectives of the Binational Toxics Strategy (BNS). The activities represented here were not necessarily initiated as a result of the BNS, and may have started while the BNS was still in the development stage.

The activity reports included for the U.S. were submitted by a wide variety of stakeholders in response to a July 27, 1998 letter sent by David A. Ullrich, Acting U.S. National Program Manager for the Great Lakes. The letter solicited descriptions of activities being undertaken that support the Binational Strategy. In Canada, the activities represent a wide variety of activities that may have been developed to fulfill National programs or Canada-Ontario Agreement goals, but which are responsive to the goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement as a whole, and therefore are linked to meeting the challenges of the BNS. The USEPA and EC make no assurance of the accuracy of these summaries. Please call the contacts, where listed below, for more information on individual projects.

BINATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Atmospheric Deposition: Characterization of Deposition of Toxic Pollutants to the Great Lakes
This project is being undertaken as part of the continuing efforts of the International Air Quality Advisory Board (IAQAB), under the direction of the International Joint Commission, to characterize the sources and amounts of atmospherically deposited toxic pollution to the Great Lakes. Of particular interest are the contaminants identified in the Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy. This particular project has five components for each pollutant investigated:

Canadian Activities: Building Blocks Toward Virtual Elimination

Mercury: Pollution Prevention Initiatives Launched in Ontario Hospitals
 The Mercury Pollution Prevention in the Health Care Sector Workshop took place in April of 1996 and was attended by 60 representatives from health care associations, hospitals, government, and suppliers of health care products. This workshop examined the effects of mercury on human health, presented examples of mercury pollution prevention case studies, and reviewed some alternatives to mercury-containing products/devices. The Health Care Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to voluntarily reduce and eliminate the use of mercury in hospitals was signed at this workshop by: Centenary Health Centre; Hospital for Sick Children; The Toronto Hospital; Environment Canada; Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy; the Health Care Environment Network (HCEN); and Pollution Probe. Each of the current hospital signatories developed their own strategy and policy for reducing and eliminating mercury.

The MOU signatories and other hospitals have formed the Ontario Mercury Health Care Steering Committee to encourage information sharing and to promote the elimination and reduction of mercury-containing products in the health care sector. Since the original signing of the MOU, it has been expanded to encourage hospitals across Ontario to sign on. Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and North York General Hospital have since signed the MOU, and several additional hospitals have indicated that they will also be signing on. Hospitals in Ontario, together with Pollution Probe, recognized the need to develop cost information on mercury-free products to assist with the process of reducing mercury use. The Mercury in the Health Care Sector: the Cost of Alternative Products report, funded by Environment Canada, compares the costs of some commonly-used mercury-containing equipment with mercury-free alternatives and outlines some of the hidden training, disposal, administrative, health, and environmental costs associated with the use of mercury containing products. Several hospitals have recently reported progress in achieving significant reductions of mercury in their respective operations. For example, all three of the major hospital signatories (Toronto Hospital, Hospital for Sick Children, North York General Hospital) have reported significant reductions through:

Benzo(a)Pyrene: Dofasco (Hamilton, Ontario) Signs Environmental Agreement with Environment Canada
In November 1997, Dofasco signed an Environmental Agreement with Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment which consolidates the objectives of all of Dofasco’s environmental programs, and sets aggressive targets in the areas of air, water, and waste management. This voluntary agreement, which expires in 2005, allows the company greater flexibility while committing to achieve performance beyond compliance with environmental laws and regulations. With respect to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (including benzo(a)pyrene) emissions, Dofasco has committed to a 30% reduction from its cokemaking operations by the end of year 2000, and a 50% reduction by the end of 2005.

Alkyl Lead: Canada Introduces Legislative Changes
The Canadian challenge for reduction of alkyl lead under the auspices of the Binational Toxics Strategy was for Canada to seek by the year 2000 a 90% reduction in the use, generation or release of alkyl lead from 1988 levels. As a result of legislation in Canada in 1990 banning the lead content of motor vehicle fuel Canada will meet its target of 90% reduction by the year 2000. Although this target will be met, Canada is continuing to examine what other sources of alkyl lead exist, in the hopes of engaging these other sources in a voluntary reduction plan.

Canadian Activities: Reductions Achieved

PCBs: Inco Limited Initiates Cleanup
Inco Limited, a mining company, has recently completed its PCB cleanup at its Port Colborne, Ontario, nickel refinery. The refinery was started in 1919. The cleanup, started in the mid-1980’s, included:

The company reports that, since 1995:

Contact: Bruce Conard, Inco, 416/361-7938

PCBs: Ontario Hydro
Ontario Hydro, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, is one of the largest utilities in North America in terms of installed generating capacity. Using 1994 as a baseline, Ontario Hydro had a total of approximately 7,700 metric tonnes of both in-service and in-storage PCB materials. To date, approximately 1,900 metric tonnes of PCB wastes or 24.7% of the total inventory has been destroyed. Destruction numbers have been limited by delays at the destruction site. The company target is to destroy approximately 81% of the total PCB inventory by the end of 2005 and to be PCB free by the end of 2015.

Contact: John Hall, j.a.hall@hydro.on.ca

PCBs: Geon Canada, Inc. Removes PCBs
Geon Canada, Inc., a producer of vinyl resins and compounds, began a project to remove PCBs in 1992. PCBs found in insulating fluid in electrical transformers were removed from service from the Geon Canada, Inc. sites in Niagara Falls, ON and Shawinigan, PQ, stored at Niagara Falls facility of Geon Canada, Inc., and subsequently destroyed by licensed Canadian contractors. The company reports that approximately 220 kg of PCBs have been safely destroyed with a remaining 10 kg of high-level PCBs to be safely destroyed in September 1998.

Contact: Tim Patterson, 440/930-1367

Dioxin and Furans: Canadian Pulp & Paper Sector Reports Reductions
The Canadian Pulp & Paper sector has achieved 99% reductions of dioxins and furans releases. Compared to 1988 national releases of 450 g/yr TEQ (Toxicity equivalency factors as measured relative to 2,3,7,8-TCDD) from this sector, national releases in 1997 were reduced to <5 g/yr. In Ontario, 1995 dioxin and furan discharges from this sector were <0.35 g TEQ (1997 data currently unavailable).

Dioxin and furan releases from point-sources across all Canadian sectors achieved a 54% reduction from 1990 baseline levels of 827 g TEQ. In Ontario, 1998 total point-source releases of 73 g TEQ have been estimated, representing a 66% reduction from the 1988 baseline releases of 217 g TEQ. Most of Ontario’s reductions are attributed to the Pulp & Paper sector.

These reductions were primarily achieved through implementation of the Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent Chlorinated Dioxins and Furans Regulations, which required mills that used chlorine and chlorine dioxide in pulp bleaching operations to implement measures to prevent the formation of dioxins and furans. The regulation prohibits the discharge of dioxins and furans in measurable quantities. The regulations came into full effect for Canadian pulp and paper mills on January 1, 1994. Also contributing to this reduction was the 1992 Pulp and Paper Mill Defoamer and Woodchips Regulations which prohibit the use of a defoamer containing more than 40 ppb of dibenzofuran or 10 ppb of dibenzo-para-dioxin, or the use of any woodchips made from PCP-treated wood to manufacture pulp.

Hexachlorobenzene: Dow Chemical Canada Advances (Sarnia Site) River Separation Project
In 1989, the Sarnia Site committed to a River Separation Project to eliminate spills and harmful discharges to the St. Clair River by the year 2000. Major projects being undertaken as part of this initiative include: installing new sewers, separating sewer systems, building containment facilities and using reduce, reuse, recycle techniques to better manage water usage. During 1997, approximately $1.46 million was spent on River Separation Projects.

Since the River Separation Project was announced in 1989, daily discharges of organic chemicals of concern have been reduced - from an average of 8 kilograms per day, to an average of 0.2 kilograms per day in 1997 - a reduction of 97 percent.

In addition, to stop trace amounts of historical contamination (such as the BNS-targeted substance hexachlorobenzene) from a former landfill site on Scott Road from reaching the St. Clair River, the Sarnia Site continued work on an environmental improvement project. The three-year project includes: a 700-foot long sheet pile wall installed in October 1996, a new municipal sewer and a 2,000-foot sheet pile wall which was completed in 1997, and a cap for the landfill site which is to be completed in 1998. In July 1997, after completion of the sewer, the water entering the drain contained no traces of contamination.

As a result of the aforementioned actions, the Dow (Sarnia) facility reports that its releases of HCB and OCS have been eliminated.

Benzo(a)Pyrene: Stelco Hilton Works (Hamilton, Ontario) Announces Operations Upgrade
 On November 14, 1997, Stelco announced an aggressive program to upgrade the coke making operations at its Hilton Works site in Hamilton. The first step in this program was the construction and startup in December 1995 of the first Canadian Pulverized Coal Injection facility. This facility allowed Stelco to idle three of its five coke oven batteries and reduce its dependence on coke for blast furnace ironmaking, resulting in a 40% decrease in particulate, VOC’s and PAH (including B(a)P) emissions from the coking operations.

In the next phase, begun in 1995, the #7 coke oven battery was refurbished. This phase, expected to be completed by the end of 1998, will provide Hilton Works with a long-term quality coking facility. The final phase involves a full review of the viability of refurbishing the #6 coke oven battery. Unless it has been refurbished, the #6 battery is not to be operated beyond December 1999.

PAH-Contaminated Sediments: Remediation at Three Sites
The Algoma slip in Sault Ste. Marie has been dredged and 20,000 m3 of sediments containing high levels of PAHs (including B(a)P) removed and confined in an approved disposal facility. Dofasco, under its Environmental Agreement signed in November 1997 (see above), has also committed to using all reasonable efforts to address contaminated sediments in its boat slip in Hamilton. In addition, a section of the Thunder Bay Harbour is being dredged to remove contaminated sediments (historical sediment contamination at the Northern Wood Preservers site containing elevated levels of B(a)P), with 1,500 m3 of sediment removed in 1997 and another 10,000 m3 to be removed in 1998.

U.S. ACTIVITIES

Mercury: Bethlehem Steel Burns Harbor, Ispat Inland, Inc., Indiana Harbor Works, U.S. Steel Gary Works, Lake Michigan Forum, IDEM, EPA Agree to Reduce Mercury Use
On September 15, 1998, three northwest Indiana steel mills—Bethlehem Steel Burns Harbor, Ispat Inland Inc. Indiana Harbor Works, and U.S. Steel Gary Works—signed a voluntary agreement with the Lake Michigan Forum, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to reduce the use of mercury at their facilities. The mills are interested in responding to the growing concern about mercury in the environment and intend to develop a clean sweep/pollution prevention initiative to inventory, recycle, and substitute to the greatest extent practicable mercury at their facilities. To accomplish this, the mills have agreed to inventory mercury in equipment, materials, in storage, and in waste streams at their northwest Indiana facilities. The effort will result in facility-specific reduction plans that will detail pollution prevention activities through equipment substitutions, purchasing practices, recycling, better management, and employee education. The companies signed the agreement as part of the Lake Michigan Primary Metals Project, a pollution prevention effort initiated by the Lake Michigan Forum—a stakeholder group that provides input to EPA on the Lake Michigan Lakewide Management Plan.

Mercury: EPA, American Hospital Association Agree on Waste-Cutting
On June 25, 1998, EPA and the American Hospital Association (AHA) signed a memorandum of understanding committing themselves to work together to significantly cut hospital wastes by 2005. The agreement envisions the virtual elimination of mercury-containing hospital wastes and a one-third reduction in total hospital wastes by 2005. Signing the accord for EPA were Dr. William H. Sanders III, Director of EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, and David A. Ullrich, Acting Administrator of EPA’s Region 5 Office. Chief Operating Officer Dr. Jonathan T. Lord signed for the AHA.

EPA and AHA intend to co-sponsor a series of national waste management seminars for hospitals. EPA will also distribute as many as 300 copies of the software program, "Mercury in Medical Facilities," developed with EPA assistance by Purdue University. The agreement also covers: obtaining and reviewing industry information on pollution prevention efforts; developing model plans for cutting chemical wastes; and investigating pollution prevention opportunities for ethylene oxide and persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic pollutants.

Mercury: Michigan Hospital Association Promotes P2
EPA Region 5 recently awarded a matching funds grant to the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor to promote pollution prevention (P2) in the health care industry in partnership with the Michigan Hospital Association. The project will focus on mercury reduction in SE Michigan. The award was made through the Environmental Justice P2 Grant program competition.

Mercury: WI DNR Supports Hospital Outreach Effort
In 1998, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provided information encouraging mercury reduction to state hospitals and clinics. "Mercury-Free: What’s In It for Me," was included with the annual medical waste report that hospitals must complete for the state. This outreach effort was the result of interaction and cooperation between two different bureaus within DNR. While hospitals are not required to report on mercury reduction efforts underway, two chose to do so.

Mercury: WLSSD Undertakes Amalgam Recycling Initiative
Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) in cooperation with the Northeast District Dental Society has developed recycling procedures for materials containing amalgam particles. Amalgam contains mercury which, if disposed of in solid or medical waste or rinsed to the sewer, could be released to the environment. The first annual amalgam recycling report showed that approximately 522 pounds of waste material containing amalgam was collected for recycling. Eighty eight percent of dental practices responded to the survey conducted by the WLSSD. The Minnesota Dental Association also supports amalgam recycling.

Contact: Tim Tuominen, Pollution Prevention Chemist, WLSSD, 218/722-3336

Mercury: Great Lakes Dental Mercury Reduction Project
In 1998, the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) will initiate the Great Lakes Dental Mercury Reduction Project with funding from the Great Lakes Protection Fund. This project will build on the success and experience of the WLSSD and its partners in the dental profession, as well as the successes that have occurred in other Great Lakes states. The partners in this project will be waste management professionals and representatives from state or local dental associations from all states bordering the Great Lakes. The project will emphasize cooperation between dental professionals and waste managers and will focus on sharing successes, devising strategies, and setting priorities. The workgroup will identify practical mercury-reducing opportunities and identify practices that can be duplicated across all the Great Lakes States.

Contact: Tim Tuominen, Pollution Prevention Chemist, WLSSD, 218/722-3336

Mercury: Chlorine Institute Reports Progress on Mercury Reduction Initiative
The Chlorine Institute has provided to USEPA its first annual report detailing the chlor-alkali industry's progress towards meeting a voluntary commitment to reducing mercury use 50 percent by 2005. The report includes descriptions of numerous activities undertaken to help identify reduction opportunities, and also provides data on preliminary reductions achieved in 1996 and 1997. According to the report, the chlor-alkali sector’s use of mercury fell by approximately one-quarter during 1996 and 1997. The Chlorine Institute's report, however, advises not to over-interpret data from this limited time span as "mercury usage can be highly variable in any given time period . . ." The Chlorine Institute's report can be viewed at: http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/bnsdocs/chlinstrpt.html

Mercury: Center for Clean Air Policy Launches Mercury Bank Project
The Center for Clean Air Policy announced in 1997 that it would participate in the Minnesota Mercury Contamination Reduction Initiative (MCRI) effort to build support for establishing a mercury bank in that state. The Center is slated to introduce the bank option at the MCRI kick-off meeting in July and will be a key player in helping to shape policy initiatives on the Advisory Council. The bank option is modeled after and improves upon the greenhouse gas emission registry contained in section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. With mercury, a bank to reward early actions will help encourage early reductions and focus attention on the problem. The Center will also form a workgroup consisting of stakeholders and experts to design elements of a mercury bank. The MCRI is a long-term, comprehensive process expected to result in the implementation of selected policy options for controlling mercury in Minnesota.

Contact: Stacey Davis, Center for Clean Air Policy, 202/408-9260

Mercury: Wisconsin Communities Initiate Mercury Reduction Projects
Mercury releases to municipal sanitary sewer systems by hospitals, dental offices, schools, universities, laboratories, other facilities, and homes are largely unregulated. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is working with seven communities to develop and implement mercury reduction programs targeted to these diverse wastewater sources. The programs are designed to educate the population about the impacts of and alternatives to mercury use, collect mercury and mercury products, and provide information about and/or coordinate transporting the mercury to a contractor for recycling.

Contact: Kristin Churchill, Wisconsin DNR, 608/267-7603

Mercury: Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Launches Statewide Mercury Awareness Program
IDEM’s Mercury Awareness Program is a state and local partnership dedicated to "investigating and identifying commercial uses of mercury, researching potential pollution prevention options, and developing and implementing outreach strategies for significant sources." Beginning in October 1998, IDEM will initiate a state-wide effort to collect and recycle household items containing mercury. The effort will be led by the Regional Household Hazardous Waste Task Force, a consortium of 35 southern Indiana solid waste management districts, and will involve other solid waste management districts and communities.

Contact: Paula Smith, IDEM, 317/233-6663

Mercury: Michigan Mercury Pollution Prevention (M2P2) Task Force
The M2P2 Task Force was convened in August 1994 and, since that time, has been active in numerous mercury pollution prevention efforts across Michigan. A few of the Task Force’s efforts include:

As part of M2P2, MDEQ, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Department of Community Health, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Independent Cooperative Milk Producers Association, and Michigan State University also collaborated on a dairy farm mercury manometer collection pilot project from two counties. Within the two counties, a total of 16 of 18 manometers were replaced; 12 pounds of mercury were collected for disposal.

Contact: Joy K. Taylor, Air Quality Division, Toxics Unit, 517/335-6974

Mercury: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection P3ERIE Program
P3ERIE is a voluntary pollution prevention program composed of DEP, businesses, civic organizations, and educational institutions in the greater Erie community. Their mission is "to build support for pollution prevention by developing and implementing a public education campaign and practical projects to reduce the amount of mercury and other persistent toxins that are used and released to the environment in the greater Erie community, especially the Lake Erie watershed." To date, P3ERIE has accomplished the following:

Contact: Edward F. Orris, Project Manager, Office of Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance, PDEP, 814/332-6075

Mercury Indicators Projects
In order to evaluate progress towards the zero discharge goal in the Lake Superior basin, baseline information is needed on indicators of releases of the nine designated chemicals. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is working on two projects to 1) establish a baseline for five mercury indicators and 2) encourage the use of low mercury feedstock chemicals, such as caustic soda. Currently, wastewater treatment plants in the Minnesota portion of the basin have agreed to collect sludge samples, which the MPCA will analyze for mercury. The other indicators will be investigated after the sludge monitoring is finished. The feedstock chemicals project includes the compilation of a list of licensed boiler operators, who would be expected to use caustic soda. The agency is also investigating the availability of different grades of caustic soda in the upper Midwest.

Minnesota Mercury Reduction Initiative Underway
The MPCA is working with a group of Minnesota stakeholders in the development of a comprehensive mercury reduction strategy. The stakeholders are involved through an advisory council which will provide recommendations to the state government on mercury reduction options. Teams of staff and stakeholders are working on reduction strategies and the criteria by which to rank them. The agency will use the council’s advice as one source of information when considering a mercury reduction initiative. The MPCA may develop regulations or recommend legislation as a result.

Mercury: WLSSD Mercury Zero Discharge Pilot Project
Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD), the largest wastewater treatment facility discharging to the Lake Superior watershed, is supporting the goal of zero discharge of persistent bioaccumulative toxics by developing a multimedia mercury zero discharge pilot project with hospitals, clinics, educational institutions, laboratories, and dental practices. WLSSD hopes this program will not only test the theory that prevention at the source is more cost-effective than end-of-pipe treatment, but will also ultimately result in the virtual elimination of mercury discharges from these specific business types. In some instances reduced discharge through recycling, on-site treatment, or better management practices may be an interim goal. The specific activities will include documentation of the sources of mercury for the specific business types.

Contact: Tim Tuominen, Pollution Prevention Chemist, WLSSD, 218/722-3336

Mercury: Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) PCB/Mercury Minimization Program
Consistent with its ongoing efforts to work with its customers to pilot pollution prevention programs, the DWSD has undertaken a number of special programs to effectively control mercury in hospitals, dental practices, industrial laundries, laboratories, and households. DWSD has initiated an Atmospheric Deposition Study, made revisions to its Local Limits Ordinance, and established an Education/Outreach Program for the general public. The program helps identify current uses of mercury, identify and encourage use of mercury-free alternatives, explore ways to reduce mercury use, coordinate and/or encourage proper disposal practices, and evaluate the effectiveness of voluntary activities to date. In one project under this program, the DWSD developed and coordinated a six-month Bulk Mercury Collection Program in cooperation with the Michigan Dental Association, the National Wildlife Federation, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. EPA. More than 400 dentists took advantage of the program, contributing about 1,350 pounds of raw mercury.

Contact: Beverly Ingram, DWSD, 313/964-9390

Mercury: Blueprint for Mercury Elimination
With support from the Great Lakes Protection Fund, the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) has conducted a Mercury Zero Discharge Project to identify and eliminate sources of mercury to its wastewater treatment plant. The results of the project have been compiled in a Blueprint for Mercury Elimination, designed for use by other wastewater treatment plants in developing and implementing their own mercury reduction programs. It includes information on sources of mercury, successful reduction strategies and case studies, and suggestions for implementing a program. As a result of this project, WLSSD initiated or strengthened pollution prevention partnerships with industries, educational facilities, hospitals, and dentists in its service area and demonstrated that significant mercury reductions in municipal wastewater discharges can be achieved through cooperative partnerships with industry, public education, and disposal facilities.

To date, the Blueprint for Mercury Elimination has been disseminated to over 800 wastewater treatment plants throughout the Great Lake States and Canada. In addition, over 1200 Blueprints have been sent to pretreatment coordinators, government units, environmental agencies and other interested parties throughout the Great Lake States, Canada, and the rest of the United States. The work begun under the Mercury Zero Discharge Project continues with support from the U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office.

Contact: Tim Tuominen, Pollution Prevention Chemist, WLSSD, 218/722-3336

Mercury: EPA Reviews Land Disposal Regulations
U.S. EPA’s Waste Treatment Branch (WTB) of the Office of Solid Waste (OSW) is currently writing an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that is set to be released in December 1998. It will request information that could lead to revision of the Land Disposal Restriction (LDR) standards for mercury containing wastes in the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR Part 268). One area that the ANPRM will specifically examine is the effectiveness of incineration (IMERC) and retorting (RMERC) in the treatment of high mercury (>260 ppm) wastes. EPA is concerned that IMERC, which does not destroy, extract, or immobilize mercury, may actually be increasing potential environmental hazards by releasing mercury vapor to the atmosphere. The ANPRM will also request data on alternatives to IMERC and RMERC, including stabilization technologies. This in-depth look at the current LDR mercury regulations will ensure that OSW is doing its part to keep mercury out of the Great Lakes and other impacted waterbodies.

Mercury: Bell Atlantic Mercury Collection Project
Bell Atlantic, a provider of telecommunication services, has instituted a project to collect all mercury relays and switches from old telecommunication equipment. The effort is ongoing with no expected end date. The collected electrical devices are sent to a mercury smelter that safely separates the mercury from the metal casings. On an annual basis, Bell Atlantic collects more than 50,000 pounds of switches and relays containing mercury.

Contact: Harlan Pincus, 212/338-6605

Mercury: Consumers Energy Company Undertakes Mercury P2 Initiative
Consumers Energy Company, a Michigan electrical and gas energy and energy services company, began a Mercury Pollution Prevention Initiative in 1996. Mercury is contained in coal used in fuel and is used in plant equipment. The company took action to identify its mercury sources, estimate the total quantity of mercury use, review existing disposal practices, and investigate future management options and costs. The program has heightened awareness of mercury concerns in the company and presented options for use of non-mercury containing equipment. It has also reduced the use of equipment containing mercury and associated stock inventory. In 1996, the program recorded a 231 pound reduction of elemental liquid mercury; in 1997, an additional reduction of 171 pounds was reported.

Contact: Patrick Zombo, Consumers Energy, 517/788-0647

Mercury Reduction Project for the Greater Milwaukee Area
This project is a joint effort of the Pollution Prevention Partnership, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The project has already produced a Mercury Source Sector Assessment Report to help identify important "source sectors," to set priorities for developing cooperative mercury education, technical assistance, and collection programs, and to develop an effective mercury reduction program.

Mercury: Community Mercury Reduction Project
As part of the Lake Superior Alliance Sustainable Basin Project, the Central Upper Peninsula Sierra Club was awarded a grant to develop a Community Mercury Reduction Project. Through this grant, the Marquette Community Mercury Reduction Task Force was formed. The Task Force developed recommendations related to: sampling; public education; outreach; ordinances; small businesses; and its own continued efforts. In June 1998, the Marquette Area Wastewater Treatment Facility submitted a grant to EPA Region 5 requesting support to implement the Task Force’s efforts to achieve a regional mercury mass balance, continue education and outreach, and implement community mercury reduction activities. The project is designed to be transferrable to other communities in the Great Lakes Basin.

Contact: Curt Goodman, Assistant Superintendent, W/WWTP, City of Marquette, MI, 906/228-0485

Mercury: Mercury Information Sheet
Greenpeace Native Lands Campaign and the Indigenous Environmental Network collaborate on several environmental issues. Together, they have produced an information sheet on mercury contamination, its sources and effects.

Mercury: Battery Industry
In 1984 and 1985, the battery industry accounted for approximately 55% of the total United States consumption of mercury, according to the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Industry-wide initiatives have been taken to decrease the presence of mercury in batteries and battery related mercury contributions to municipal solid waste. New technologies have been introduced which control gassing (which can lead to leakage and possible ruptures) in batteries without the use of mercury. These technologies include: (1) removing or decreasing impurities which cause gassing; (2) using other formulations to suppress gasses and; (3) redesigning the batteries to allow gases to escape at faster rates.

Mercury batteries, which use mercuric oxide as an electrode material, have been replaced by alternatives, such as zinc air batteries, except for a few non-household specialty uses. When alternatives are not available, battery manufacturers provide information so that the battery user can send the used batteries to a properly licensed collection site for recycling or proper disposal.

As a result of these initiatives, the battery industry reports that the United States battery industry’s 1994 consumption of mercury was 99.41% less than its 1984 consumption rate (29,700 flasks in 1984, one flask = 76 pounds, to 174 flasks in 1994.) During this same time period, annual sales of alkaline batteries in the United States increased 150%.

Mercury: Wisconsin Sponsors Mercury Manometer Replacement Program
Beginning in the Fall of 1998, WI Department of Natural Resources, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Wisconsin Extension Program will replace mercury-containing manometers to Wisconsin farmers in the Great Lakes basin. This program is funded by a grant from the U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office and is patterned after a similar program in Minnesota.

Contact: Kristin Churchill, Wisconsin DNR, 608/267-7603

Mercury: Wisconsin Electric Surveys Mercury-Containing Equipment In Operating Power Plants
The company's Fossil Operations staff began a resurvey of equipment in its power plants in May, 1998. The term resurvey is used because the company initiated a purge of mercury containing equipment at its power plants more than 10 years ago and by 1994, the purge was largely complete. A review of hazardous waste records from the early 1980's suggests that several thousand pounds of mercury were collectively removed from these facilities.

The resurvey results compiled to date suggest that WE’s major power plants contain low amounts of mercury. It is suspected but not yet verified that WE's four power plants constructed before the mid-1970's contain mercoid switches and thermometers, but little else in the way of mercury-containing equipment. The four power plants constructed since the mid-1970's (total megawatts installed-approximately 2,075 ) typically contain less than one pound of elemental mercury per plant in a variety of switches and thermostats.

Contact: Dave Michaud, Wisconsin Electric, 414/221-2187

Mercury: Thermostat Recycling Corporation Initiative
In December 1997, the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) launched a program to recycle mercury-switch thermostats in nine states, including Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The TRC is a private corporation established by thermostat manufacturers, Honeywell, General Electric, and White-Rodgers. Under the program, heating and cooling contractors can drop off old mercury-switch thermostats at participating wholesalers. The wholesalers will collect the thermostats in protective bins provided by TRC and send them to TRC’s recycling center where the switches will be removed and forwarded to a mercury recycler. TRC reports that it has processed 50 pounds of mercury in the program’s first six months.

Contact: Ric Erdheim, Acting Executive Director, TRC, 703/841-3249

Mercury: Thermostat Recycling in Wisconsin
Wisconsin DNR is partnering with electric utilities through the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC), community clean sweeps, household hazardous waste collection facilities, and other means to promote recycling and replacement of mercury-switch thermostats. Two of the state’s six major utilities have included promotional materials with customer bills and/or on their web sites. TRC reports that, since November 1997, 932 thermostats have been collected; 69 recycling bins have been issued; and 9.7 pounds of mercury have been reclaimed.

Contact: Kristin Churchill, Wisconsin DNR, 608267-7603

Mercury: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, an investor-owned electric and gas utility providing energy to 1.5 million residential, commercial and industrial customers, is committed to the virtual elimination of the use of mercury in its service territory and has established a goal of replacing all mercury containing gas regulators. Since 1995, the company reportedly has committed considerable resources to the elimination of mercury in its systems. The company reports that it has reduced the number of mercury containing gas regulators from approximately 37,500 to approximately 600. The company also reports that it has achieved the U.S. BNS Challenge for Level I substances and that these results surpass the 50 percent reduction target of the Binational Toxics Strategy in the deliberate use of mercury.

Contact: A.Chris Read, Environmental Analyst, Niagara Mohawk, 315/428-3631

Mercury: Lighting Industry Pushes for Design and Manufacturing Advances
The lighting industry has made significant investments in manufacturing process and new lamp designs to continue to drive down mercury content in lamps. These investments have reportedly reduced the average mercury content of a four foot lamp from 48.2 mg in 1985 to 22.8 mg in 1994. The lamp industry expects to drive mercury content below 12 mg/lamp by the year 2000.

Contact: National Electric Manufacturers Association, 703/841-3200

Mercury: Electric Utility Industry
The amount of coal used by non-utility industry is being reduced through the further electrification of industry throughout the country. Efficient electrical use opportunities are matched and marketed to non-utility coal users to replace coal processes. For example, many efficient electric arc furnaces have replaced basic oxygen furnaces in steel manufacture. The industry estimates that a reduction of more than 15 tons of emitted mercury for commercial and industrial boilers has already resulted.

Contact: Dennis Leonard, 313/235-8714

Mercury: DTE Energy/Detroit Edison Just-in-Time Arrangements
In response to a 1997 request by the state to reduce storage and eliminate the need for mercury instruments that could be replaced cost-effectively with non-mercury instruments, Detroit Edison, Michigan’s largest electric utility, employed just-in-time arrangements for instrumentation and mercury with a supplier. The project will end in December 1998. One ton less mercury is now stored at Detroit Edison facilities.

Contact: Dennis Leonard, 313/235-8714

Automobile Pollution Prevention Project
Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, and the American Automobile Manufacturers Association joined forces in 1991 to form the US Automotive Pollution Prevention Project (or, Auto Project). The project began as a partnership, with the U.S. EPA (Great Lakes National Program Office) funding the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to launch the project. Now, the auto industry itself is leading the project and making great progress in reducing pollution at the source.

The focus of the project is a group of "Great Lakes Persistent Toxic Substances" (GLPTSs), including Mercury and PCBs. After the first four years, the project has expanded from a concentration on the Great Lakes to a national effort. A similar effort was launched in Canada in 1992. Ford Motor Company, for example, continues on the path to global phase-out of PCB containing transformers. The results of their efforts were tabulated in 1996, discovering 26% of all PCB transformers had been removed.

An integral part of this ongoing effort is the 70 pollution prevention case studies (not all of which pertain to BNS substances) that have been developed by the auto companies. View case studies. [PDF 312Kb, 2pps ]

The American Automobile Manufacturers Association will track emissions of both Binational Toxic Strategy Level I and Level II substances through the U.S. Auto Pollution Prevention Project. EPA Region 5 remains strongly involved through the Auto Project Advisory Group (APAG) which also includes representatives from trade associations, higher education, technology centers, public interest groups, a foundation, and state governments.

"This provides an example of how a flexible and cooperative industry partnership can reconcile and achieve mutual environmental and economic needs in a globally competitive marketplace."

Mercury: General Motors Corporation
Using environmentally conscious design and manufacturing principles, General Motors Midsize & Luxury Car Group (MLCG) facilities replaced mercury switches with ball-type switches used in underhood lamp activation in their 1998 Cadillac and Buick models. The company reports that this change resulted in an estimated elimination of 1,500 pounds of mercury a year from underhood switches. It has been estimated that the mercury contained in underhood and trunk lamp switches accounts for 87% of mercury usage in automotive applications. This amounts to 12.2 million mercury switches containing a total of 8.5 metric tons of mercury per year. MLCG has already eliminated all mercury switches in the trunk lamp activation and replaced these with trunk-ajar switches.

Mercury: Chrysler Corporation
Chrysler Corporation instituted a project to modify product specifications to: eliminate mercury from equipment; decommission mercury-containing equipment; and evaluate the alternative for blood pressure measurement equipment. The project has resulted in mercury being removed from 20 engineering equipment specifications. The company reports that 1000 pounds of decommissioned mercury were collected in the first year. Mercury-free alternatives to sphygmomanometers were also identified.

Mercury: Chrysler Corporation
Chrysler has participated in discussions with the Michigan Mercury Pollution Prevention Task Force about mercury use within its facilities and products. The company had discovered in 1995 that mercury is used in underhood switches of certain current models. Chrysler has worked with the American Automobile Association to develop a common approach to identify and remove the mercury switches.

Mercury: Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company reports that it has worked since 1995 to identify feasible alternatives for all mercury switches in all models worldwide and to introduce mercury-free designs in all identified applications as soon as practicable.

Mercury and PCBs: American Electric Power
Since 1987, AEP has voluntarily removed PCBs from its transmission and distribution equipment, including about 4,000 PCB-filled and mineral oil-filled transformers, 15,000 PCB substation capacitors, and 860 other PCB items. AEP’s Project Good Turn encourages customers in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan to turn in second, older working refrigerators and freezers for recycling CFCs and scrap metal, incinerating PCB capacitors, and safe disposal of mercury. AEP reports that it has already recycled more than 40,000 units containing a total of more than 1,000 pounds of PCBs and 80 pounds of mercury.

Mercury and PCBs: Consumers Energy Company Launches Replacement Lighting Program
In 1996, Consumers Energy Company launched the "Bottom Line Solutions" replacement lighting program for commercial and industrial customers. The program allows customers to increase their business’ lighting while reducing operating and future disposal costs. The new fixtures have efficient, low-mercury lights and non-PCB ballasts.

Mercury and PCBs: Ojibwa Health Study
Ojibwa Health Study investigators are researching the effects of mercury and PCBs on human health. For this study, walleye are being harvested from various lakes by the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. As well, lake trout and whitefish are being collected from Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior by the InterTribal Fisheries Assessment Program. Fish collected for the study are sent to the University of Wisconsin-Superior to be analyzed for environmental contaminants.

Mercury and Hexachlorobenzene: The Dow Chemical Company
In support of the Binational Toxics Strategy, The Dow Chemical Company has set a goal for the company to reduce air and water emissions of hexachlorobenzene and mercury compounds by 75 percent by 2005.

Contact: Werner Braun, Dow Chemical Company, 517/636-6151

PCBs: Chrysler Corporation
A PCB elimination program was undertaken at Chrysler Corporation’s North American U.S., Canadian and Mexican facilities. The company reports that it has eliminated all 500 PCB transformers and all but 50 of 10,000 capacitors to date. The company estimates that all Chrysler facilities will be PCB-free by the end of 1998.

PCBs: Bethlehem Steel Corporation Works to Reduce PCBs at Burns Harbor Division
Bethlehem Steel has evaluated the risks associated with the continued use of PCBs and has decided to embark on a voluntary program to replace all uses of PCBs within its plant. The program’s goal is to virtually eliminate the use of PCBs at its Burns Harbor Division by 2000. The company reports that, as of July 1, 1998, it has achieved the following reductions:

Contact: Douglas Bley, 219/787-2712

PCBs Cleanup: Willow Run Creek, MI
General Motors, Ford Motors, Wayne County, Ypsilanti township, Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority, and University of Michigan have joined together pursuant to a formal agreement with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in a project to remove and entomb approximately 150 tons of PCBs that are present in surface water sediments previously residing in the Willow Run Creek (tributary to the Huron River—Belleville Lake, and Lake Erie). Most of the removal occurred in 1997; closure of the onsite TSCA-approved landfill constructed solely for these materials is expected later in 1998.

Contacts: Vicki Katko and Dowe Persons, MDEQ, 517/780-7690

PCBs: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, which produces tires, synthetic rubber and ground rubber products, began a project in 1993 to eliminate PCB transformers. To date, 165 transformers have been eliminated in the United States including 27 in the Great Lakes. As a result of the project, Goodyear reports, 15 plants in the U.S. and two plants in Canada are PCB-free. PCBs are being removed from additional plants based on risk evaluation.

Contact: Dave Berkebile, 330/796-5055

PCBs: Cleaning up "Unnamed Tributary to Ottawa River"
The site of what was once called the "Unnamed Tributary to the Ottawa River," is located within and is owned by the city of Toledo, Ohio. It was considered to be one of the worst PCB contaminated waterways in Ohio and the primary source of PCB contamination to the Ottawa River, a major tributary to Maumee Bay. Severe industrial pollution within the Maumee River Basin resulted in the Maumee Bay being listed as an Area of Concern (AOC) in 1985 by the International Joint Commission (IJC).

In September 1996, U.S. EPA’s GLNPO provided Ohio EPA with grant funding for the Unnamed Tributary remediation project. A condition of the grant was to form partnerships with local governments and PRPs to remediate the Unnamed Tributary. Ohio EPA met with officials from the City of Toledo, GenCorp, Blasland, Bouck and Lee, U.S. EPA/GLNPO and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to discuss and plan remedial strategies necessary to complete the project. In November 1997, the Ohio EPA issued an Administrative Order on Consent for the remediation of PCB contamination in the Unnamed Tributary and on site remediation activities were completed in June 1998. By the end of the project, 16,000 tons of contaminated sediment were excavated and sent to a TSCA-approved landfill for disposal. Demobilization and site restoration were completed in August 1998. The project was completed at a cost of approximately $6 million dollars. According to David Ullrich (Acting Administrator, U.S. EPA, Region 5) "Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, this is the best cleanup I have ever seen."

PCBs: NORA Launches Clean Sweep
In January 1998, the National Oil Recycler’s Association (NORA) submitted a proposal to plan and implement a PCB Clean Sweep focusing on PCB-contaminated used oil and wastewater. In the fall of 1998, Region 5 funded the feasibility portion of the plan with Coastal Environmental Management funds at the recommendation of the Lake Erie Team's Regional Team Manager. NORA sent a flyer announcing the feasibility study in an attempt to obtain feedback and to identify incentives for participation.

A follow-up telephone survey will be conducted, and the final report will summarize PCB generators' interest in participating in a PCB clean sweep. Throughout the project, NORA has worked closely with the RCRA and TSCA program staff. To date, NORA has completed preparation of a computer database identifying potential sources of PCBs to the oil recycling industry in Region 5, which has been adversely impacted by PCBs in commerce. Some of the individual sources or source types were identified by reviewing TSCA manifest discrepancy and unmanifested waste reports at Region 5 offices. NORA has issued a press release and also established contacts with Region 5 states' PCB regulatory programs.

Contact: Sue Brauer, USEPA, 312/353-6134 and Tony Martig, USEPA, 312/353-2291

PCBs: Cook County PCB/Mercury Cleansweep Partnership
The Cook County Cleansweep Partnership project was developed as a voluntary initiative to educate and motivate small business operators, particularly electrical and demolition contractors in Cook County, Illinois, to manage and dispose of mercury and PCB bearing equipment in an environmentally responsible manner through:

  1. Education: developing training programs and materials for small businesses and local regulatory agency field personnel in identification, safe handling, transport and disposal practices,
  2. Telephone Hotline: establishing a telephone number to assist in the identification, safe handling, transport and disposal of mercury and PCB bearing material and equipment, and
  3. Disposal Assistance: arranging assistance for small business operators in Cook County for the environmentally safe disposal at reduced costs through a licensed local hazardous waste management firm.

The education and outreach began in the summer of 1998 with focus groups and a booth at the "Electric 98" trade show in October 1998. Bids by local hazardous waste management firms have been submitted and are being reviewed for the disposal assistance component.

PCBs: Bell Atlantic
Bell Atlantic, a provider of telecommunications services, has found PCBs above regulatory action levels in 56 electrical transformers purchased from others. PCBs that had leaked from the windings contaminated a silicon-based dielectric fluid in the transformers. Bell Atlantic contracted with a company to replace the contaminated dielectric fluid containing PCBs with a new fluid. The process enables the company to replace only the dielectric fluid, not the transformer units. Over the past three years, PCB levels in the transformer have been significantly reduced. PCBs are safely collected and incinerated at a hazardous waste incinerator. The project is expected to be completed in 1999.

Contact: Harlan Pincus, 212/338-6605

PCBs: ComEd Equipment Replacement Program
ComEd replaced more than 2,469 PCB capacitors with more efficient units at large substations in 1996. ComEd also took more than 10,000 obsolete or damaged transformers out of service in 1996. The majority of these were repaired at ComEd’s technical center or sold to a transformer repair facility, which fixes and resells them. In addition, 260 transformers that were found to be contaminated with oil containing PCBs were sent to a vendor which decontaminates the components. This allowed them to be reclaimed as raw material for new products. Any transformer mineral oil coolant found to be PCB-contaminated was also decontaminated by another vendor, enabling it to be reused as a coolant or fuel. In 1996 alone, over 84,000 gallons of oil were treated in this manner. Since 1980, ComEd has removed 98% of its PCB-filled transformers and 78% of its PCB-filled capacitors. Thirty-five percent of these equipment removals were voluntary.

PCBs: Utilities Report on PCB Phasedown Efforts
In an effort to reduce one potential source of PCBs, Region 5 EPA approached 12 of the major utilities in the Great Lakes Basin (Great Lakes Utilities) in 1983 and asked for their commitment to voluntarily phase-down their remaining PCB electrical equipment (e.g., PCB transformers and PCB capacitors). This effort is referred to as the PCB Phasedown Program. While considering EPA’s request, the 12 Great Lakes Utilities conducted a study of the utility industry in Region 5.

Since 1994, all of the participating utilities have either removed, replaced, or retrofitted some of their transformers. A recently-conducted phone survey indicated that, although the utilities are continuing to find new PCB transformers through their testing programs, they are continuing to phasedown PCB transformers and have reduced PCB capacitors by 27%. Based on the success of the Great Lakes Utilities Phasedown, EPA Region 5 may next attempt to obtain similar phasedown commitments from other owners of electrical equipment, including other utilities and cooperatives, industrial facilities, and commercial buildings. The utilities in the Phasedown Program may also expand their efforts to look at ways to reduce mercury use and release.

PCB Decommissioning at Minnesota Power
According to Minnesota Power’s voluntary decommissioning schedule, the company will have decommissioned between 28 to 39 metric tons of high concentration PCB fluids in capacitors between 1994 and 1998 and retrofitted about 130 kilograms of PCBs in transformers between 1993 and 1998.

PCBs: Northern Indiana Public Service Co. Advances Toward Virtual Elimination Goal
Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) continued to make progress on its 1994 commitment to EPA to virtually eliminate PCBs in its electrical system by 2005. In 1997 NIPSCO sampled and analyzed 591 pieces of electrical equipment and removed or retrofilled 308 pieces of electrical equipment known or suspected to contain PCBs. NIPSCO has now removed 94% of the PCBs present in the electrical system at the onset of the PCB regulations.

PCBs: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation Equipment Replacement/Retrofit
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, an electric and gas utility, began replacing or retrofitting all high level PCB equipment in 1986. The company has reduced the number of PCB transformers from approximately 649 to 3. The remaining three will be addressed by 1999. In addition, the company reports that it has eliminated 29,700 PCB capacitors. Through its action, Niagara Mohawk also reports having surpassed the Binational Toxics Strategy challenge of a 90 percent reduction of high level PCBs used in electrical equipment. Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation is committed to the virtual elimination of the use of PCBs in its service territory and reports having achieved the U.S. BNS Challenges for Level I substances

Contact: A.Chris Read, Environmental Analyst, Niagara Mohawk, 315/428-3631

PCBs: Consumers Energy Company Conducts Equipment Inventory
Consumers Energy Company, a Michigan company which provides electrical and gas energy, reports that as of January 1997, less than 1.5 percent of the company’s transformers and capacitors contained more than 500 parts per million of PCBs--out of more than a half-million pieces of electrical equipment. In 1997, the company hired a summer intern for a project to estimate the company’s electrical equipment inventory associated with PCB-containing mineral oil. The project provided a better understanding of progress made in reducing PCB use and an updated estimate of the current status of PCB use. The company is now able to focus reduction efforts regarding specific PCBs and PCB-contaminated equipment.

Contact: Donald Fobes, 517/788-2083

DDT/Contaminated Sediments: Velsicol Site Cleanup, Pine River, St. Louis, MI
U.S. EPA Region 5 and MDEQ recently began preliminary work under removal authority to remove DDT-laden sediments from the Pine River in St. Louis, MI. EPA is currently preparing the sites and putting infrastructure in place. The Agency plans to first dredge and dispose of DDT-contaminated materials (totaling about 22,000 cubic yards) from the most heavily contaminated areas. The Agency will follow up this work by removing an additional 238,000 cubic yards of materials and instituting a continual cleanup program. The site was formerly owned by Velsicol, who negotiated themselves out of cleanup responsibilities in the early 1980s.

Contact: Beth Reiner, USEPA, reiner.beth@epa.gov

Pesticides: The Green Thumb Project
The Green Thumb Project is an educational, pollution prevention program that demonstrates alternative lawn/turf management practices. The Green Thumb Project started as a bi-national pilot program in 1995. Four cities were chosen to take part: Sarnia, Ontario; Toronto, Ontario; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Duluth, Minnesota/Superior, Wisconsin. During the past three years, the Green Thumb Project has worked with several hundred individuals and organizations including groundskeepers, homeowners, business, schools, universities and churches. In 1997, 42 individual homeowners in Duluth, MN and Superior, WI participated as Green Thumb demonstration sites.

The Green Thumb Project is coordinated by the Environmental Association for Great Lakes Education, (EAGLE) with support from the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, (WLSSD) and the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Fund, sponsored by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. More information about the Green Thumb project activities, including information about the "Great Lakes and Great Lawns" video and guidebook, are available through the Green Thumb Project.

Contact: The Green Thumb Project, 218/726-1828

Pesticides: Michigan Promotes Clean Sweep Program
The Michigan Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Clean Sweep Program for pesticide disposal was initiated in 1990. The program, although aimed at agriculture, serves anyone who has old, banned, unregistered or otherwise unusable pesticides. Participants in the past have included farmers, golf course managers, nursery and greenhouse operators. Since its initiation, the program has disposed of more than 250 tons of unusable materials.

MDA funds initiated the program, and in the years following, the U.S. EPA became a significant partner through grants and cooperative agreements with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The unusual partnerships have made the program one of the most successful in the country.

In 1996 MDA started converting from a single annual regional collection to permanent year-round facilities. County Michigan State University Extension office can provide application forms to interested parties. The Extension office will give tips on how to package banned pesticides safely for transportation or can help make arrangements to have them picked up at the location.

Contact: Michigan Department of Agriculture, 517/335-6529

Pesticides: Ohio Department of Agriculture Collection Program
In September 1997, Ohio Department of Agriculture collected 110,000 pounds of unwanted or unusable pesticides in the Great Lakes Basin, approximately 4,000 pounds of which were persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals.

Pesticides: Minnesota Waste Pesticide Sweeps
Waste pesticide collections were conducted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in the Lake Superior region in 1992, 1994 and 1996. The Department collected over 16,400 kilograms of waste pesticides, including at least 826 kilograms of DDT, 1,600 kilograms of 2,4,5-T, 100 kilograms of chlordane and 140 kilograms of mercury seed treatment. A fourth sweep is being carried out in 1998.

2,3,7,8 TCDD and 2,3,7,8 TCDF: Pulp and Paper Industry
The pulp and paper industry reports that, since 1988, it has dramatically reduced the generation and release of 2,3,7,8 TCDD/TCDF from pulp bleaching operations. The industry’s 1996 data show that none of the five U.S. mills located within the Great Lakes Basin reported effluent 2,3,7,8 TCDD or 2,3,7,8 TCDF concentrations above the U.S. EPA minimum level of 10 parts per quadrillion (ppq).; i.e. these mills have virtually eliminated these Binational Toxics Strategy Level 1 compounds from their effluents.

2,3,7,8 TCDD/TCDF releases from the other process vectors (e.g., wastewater treatment plant sludges and product pulp) have been similarly reduced. At Basin mills, 2,3,7,8 TCDD levels in both sludge and pulp are not measurable at EPA minimum levels of 1 part per trillion (ppt). 2,3,7,8 TCDF was detected in sludge at two of the Basin mills; but, sludge test results calculated on a combined 2,3,7,8 TCDD/ TCDF TEQ basis, are still below 1 ppt, a value equal to the 2,3,7,8 TCDD minimum level. 2,3,7,8 TCDF levels in pulp were measurable at only one Basin mill. Again, when calculated on the 2,3,7,8 TCDD/TCDF TEQ basis, the pulp values are below 1 ppt.

According to industry representatives, mills within the Great Lakes Basin match or exceed percent release reductions made nationally by the industry’s more than 100 mills.

Contacts: Jerry Schwartz, American Forest & Paper Association, 202/463-2581 and Bill Gillespie, NCASI, 919/558-1990

Dioxin: Western Lake Superior Sanitation District (WLSSD) Zero Discharge Project
As part of its Zero Discharge Project efforts, WLSSD has developed "Safe Solutions: Eliminating Dioxin from Medical Wastes." This brochure identifies chlorinated products often used by the health-care industry, identifies those with non-chlorinated alternatives, and discusses disposal options.

Binational Strategy, Generally: National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has promoted the reduction and virtual elimination of Binational Toxics Strategy substances for several years. NWF utilizes a broad range of activities and tools such as hosting workshops, convening special task forces, distributing action alerts and publishing reports and articles on timely topics to educate the public regarding important water quality issues. Some examples of the most recent work of NWF that we hope will result in successful achievement of the goals of the Binational Toxics Strategy (BNS) are described below.

Atmospheric Deposition: EPA Conducts Outreach and Educational Activities
Since the Binational Toxics Strategy was signed, several EPA offices have taken action to support BNS efforts. Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards has developed numerous fact sheets pertaining to atmospheric transport of BNS substances. Among these is a fact sheet on the Medical Waste Incinerator final rule, the Utility Air Toxics Report to Congress, national emissions standards to control hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) emitted from pulp and paper mills, and a summary of findings from the second Great Waters Report, Deposition of Air Pollutants to the Great Waters. In addition, EPA’s Offices of Water and Air and Radiation have initiated a joint project to develop a water quality-based total maximum daily load (TMDL) allocation for mercury.

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