BNS - the Binational Toxics Strategy

The environmental problem: Mercury can damage the neurological development of small children and developing fetuses exposed when the mother consumes contaminated fish. Levels of mercury in the fish of the Great Lakes and the inland lakes of the upper Midwest frequently exceed State public health guidelines. All of the Great Lakes States have advisories warning consumers about mercury-contaminated fish in various water bodies. Small amounts of mercury in a water body can bioaccumulate to significant levels in fish.

Sources: Most of the mercury in the Great Lakes is the result of air emissions. Natural sources also contribute mercury into the environment; direct water discharges contribute a relatively small amount. The largest measured human-caused air sources in the United States are combustion of fossil fuels by electric utilities and industry, and the incineration of mercury-containing products contained in municipal and medical wastes. Use of mercury-containing products and their disposal through means other than incineration may cause significant emissions as well, although these are difficult to measure.

MERCURY EMISSIONS (short tons)
	1990/93 Base	1994/95	2006 Challenge
Mun. Waste Comb.	55.0	29.6
Medical Waste Incin.	50.0	16.0
Haz. Waste Incin.	7.0	7.1
Utility boilers	51.3	52.0
Comm/indust boilers	29.0	28.4
Residential boilers	3.5	3.6
Other Combustion	2.1	1.2
Chlor-alkali	6.4	7.1
Portland Cement	5.0	4.8
Pulp&Paper Manuf.	1.9	1.9
Instrument Manuf.	0.5	0.5
Secondary Hg Prod.	0.4	0.4
Electrical Apparatus	0.3	0.3
Carbon Black	0.3	0.3
Primary Copper prod.	1.9	0.1
Primary Lead Smelting	1.3	0.1
Lime Manufacturing	0.1	0.1
Geothermal Power	1.4	1.4
Area Sources	3.1	3.4
TOTAL	221	158	110

The main uses of mercury in the U.S. are chlorine and caustic soda manufacture, wiring devices and switches, measuring and control devices, and dental amalgam. Mercury-containing products are used by the medical industry, laboratories, and variety of other industries, as well as by dairy farms. Mercury is also used in consumer products such as batteries, thermometers, fluorescent lamps, automobiles (in lighting switches), thermostats, and household appliances. Industry has an incentive to seize opportunities to reduce mercury use, given the potential for spills or breakage of mercury devices, leading to possible worker exposure and an expensive cleanup.

Mercury Use (metric tons)
	1995 Baseline	1996	2006 Challenge
Chlorine&Caustic manuf.	154	136
Electric lighting	30	29
Wiring devices & switches	84	49
Measuring& control inst	43	41
Dental equip&supplies	32	31
Other	93	86
Total	436	372	218

Existing control efforts in the U.S.: Regulations promulgated under the Clean Air Act are expected to significantly reduce mercury emissions from municipal and medical incinerators. Regulation will also reduce emissions from hazardous waste incinerators and pulp and paper mills. Regulation of electric utility boilers is under consideration, and industrial boilers will be subject to regulation in 2000. The prospect for emissions reductions resulting from regulation of these sectors is uncertain, given a current lack of proven reduction technologies. Increased energy use could cause higher emissions from these sectors, but these increases could be offset by the incidental control of mercury by emissions controls required for other air pollutants. Water discharges are being tightly regulated, particularly in the Great Lakes region, where the Great Lakes Initiative sets stringent standards for mercury.

Uses of mercury, and mercury disposal, have also been regulated at the State and federal level. It is now illegal to use mercury in most types of batteries, as well as in paints, and some States have passed legislation banning the use of mercury in various types of products. In addition, State and federal laws limit improper disposal of some types of mercury wastes and products.

In addition to regulatory efforts, significant voluntary reduction initiatives are under way. For instance, chlorine and caustic soda manufacturers have committed to 50 percent reduction in use and release of mercury, and the auto sector has committed to eliminating use of mercury switches. Some hospitals and dentists have committed to improving mercury waste disposal practices, and some hospitals are also making efforts to eliminate the use of mercury products.

Opportunities for the Binational Strategy Implemention Workgroup: Many voluntary activities have proved successful, but have been tried on only a small scale. For example, a number of hospitals have implemented mercury reduction programs, but most have not. Moreover, some States and localities, particularly in the Great Lakes region, have passed legislation or implemented programs to discourage mercury use and improve handling of mercury wastes, not only by industry by also by the general public. Many other States and localities could benefit from these examples. The workgroup might be able to play a useful role by encouraging widespread adoption of reduction efforts that have proven successful.

In addition, some categories of mercury use have received relatively little regulatory attention and have not been subject to significant voluntary pollution prevention efforts. For instance, the use of mercury devices in some industries has received little attention. The workgroup could explore opportunities in these areas.

MERCURY: A BRIEF FOR THE BINATIONAL STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION WORKGROUP