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Focusing on Impact Chemicals
The most mature of the targeted toxic chemical reduction programs in Washington
State is the mercury reduction program. Therefore, the remainder of this section
focuses on further analysis of the mercury program.
BASIS FOR THE MERCURY REDUCTION PROGRAM
It is estimated that approximately 5,000 lb of mercury were released in Washington
State in 2001. By 2006, this number had been reduced to approximately 2,300 lb
of mercury released. The goal of the mercury program is to virtually eliminate
anthropogenic releases by 2015.
Mercury emission levels are estimated by
• Conducting ongoing fish tissue sampling across the state
• Comparing historic and current soil and sediment monitoring
• Conducting studies of mercury levels in landfill gas to determine disposal
of mercury-containing wastes
• Maintaining a list of products containing mercury and tracking their disposal and recycling rates
Most mercury releases were found to come from small or medium businesses,
schools, and households. The majority of these releases could be prevented through
purchasing alternative products that contain no mercury and improving waste separation and disposal methods in dentistry, households, medical facilities, and other
areas where mercury is used.
The Mercury Chemical Action Plan (Peele 2003) lists and describes the major
sources of mercury in the state of Washington. These include mercury release from
fossil fuel combustion; mining and manufacturing; use of products containing
merc ury; and disposal of products containing mercury at end of life. MERA requires
labeling of fluorescent lamps, bans the use of elemental mercury in schools, and
prohibits sales of mercury. The state developed Memorandums of Understanding
(MOUs) between DOE and industry for dental practices, hospitals, and automotive
recyclers. They also focused attention on disposal of auto switches, thermostats, and
fluorescent lamps. Mercury emission standards were developed for coal-fired power
plants. The list of products containing mercury was not sufficiently comprehensive by 2001; therefore, additional products are tracked as information is available.
Disposal of utility switches and relays, for example, was not counted in 2001, yet
these items were recently estimated to constitute releases of as much as 800 lb of
mercury per year.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Washington state requires the following by law:
• Mercury-containing lamps must be appropriately labeled.
• Washington State government must purchase only low-mercury or mercuryfree products.
Focusing on Impact Chemicals
The most mature of the targeted toxic chemical reduction programs in Washington
State is the mercury reduction program. Therefore, the remainder of this section
focuses on further analysis of the mercury program.
BASIS FOR THE MERCURY REDUCTION PROGRAM
It is estimated that approximately 5,000 lb of mercury were released in Washington
State in 2001. By 2006, this number had been reduced to approximately 2,300 lb
of mercury released. The goal of the mercury program is to virtually eliminate
anthropogenic releases by 2015.
Mercury emission levels are estimated by
• Conducting ongoing fish tissue sampling across the state
• Comparing historic and current soil and sediment monitoring
• Conducting studies of mercury levels in landfill gas to determine disposal
of mercury-containing wastes
• Maintaining a list of products containing mercury and tracking their disposal and recycling rates
Most mercury releases were found to come from small or medium businesses,
schools, and households. The majority of these releases could be prevented through
purchasing alternative products that contain no mercury and improving waste separation and disposal methods in dentistry, households, medical facilities, and other
areas where mercury is used.
The Mercury Chemical Action Plan (Peele 2003) lists and describes the major
sources of mercury in the state of Washington. These include mercury release from
fossil fuel combustion; mining and manufacturing; use of products containing
merc ury; and disposal of products containing mercury at end of life. MERA requires
labeling of fluorescent lamps, bans the use of elemental mercury in schools, and
prohibits sales of mercury. The state developed Memorandums of Understanding
(MOUs) between DOE and industry for dental practices, hospitals, and automotive
recyclers. They also focused attention on disposal of auto switches, thermostats, and
fluorescent lamps. Mercury emission standards were developed for coal-fired power
plants. The list of products containing mercury was not sufficiently comprehensive by 2001; therefore, additional products are tracked as information is available.
Disposal of utility switches and relays, for example, was not counted in 2001, yet
these items were recently estimated to constitute releases of as much as 800 lb of
mercury per year.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Washington state requires the following by law:
• Mercury-containing lamps must be appropriately labeled.
• Washington State government must purchase only low-mercury or mercuryfree products.