The Mercury Study Report to Congress confirmed fish consumption as the source of > 95% of methylmercury exposures. Women of childbearing age who routinely consume fish in amounts more than 100 grams/day may need to limit their methylmercury exposures. Consequently a broad program to reduce environmental releases utilizes product substitution, control of air emissions of mercury, and controls on water-mercury. These strategies integrate end-of-pipe control technologies with material substitution and separation, design and fundamental process changes. Voluntary efforts from US industry have resulted in more than a 33% decrease in mercury consumption since the early 1990s. Additional reductions are sought.
Natural sources contain mercury (e.g., fossil fuels, especially coal). Non-stack and stack emissions both release mercury into air. Utility boilers are considered the largest single point source category of mercury air emissions in the United States. Other air emissions of mercury already under regulatory control are municipal and medical waste incinerators. Water becomes contaminated with mercury from multiple sources including abandoned gold mines and their tailings, and a strategy is being developed to conduct site clean-up.
Substitution of other less toxic chemicals for mercury can also limit introduction of mercury into commerce in multiple products and industrial sectors. Additional sources of mercury of concern include cultural, artisanal and ritualistic uses of mercury, as well as mercury discharged into water from dental facilities.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.