Who has successfully reduced
mercury?
Bethlehem Steel, Ispat Inland, and US Steel
developed mercury reduction plans, focusing
primarily on mercury-containing devices under
a voluntary agreement with EPA, the Indiana
Department of Environmental Management, and
the Lake Michigan Forum. These plans included
taking an inventory of mercury-containing
equipment, materials, storage, and waste streams.
The mills instituted plans to reduce the amount
of mercury by 90 percent by 2008 by substituting
equipment, altering purchasing practices, and
educating employees. By 2003, the three facilities
had collectively removed 3,700 pounds of mercury
from their facilities. The greatest reduction came from
operating equipment and devices.
International Steel Group's (formerly Bethlehem Steel) Burns
Harbor Division, Ispat Inland, and US Steel are all located in
Indiana on Lake Michigan and provide steel for use by the
automotive, office furniture, container, and appliance markets.
We Energies voluntarily reduced its mercury-
containing equipment (including thermometers,
barometers, manometers, and switches) by over
10,000 pounds. We Energies removed equipment
during routine maintenance and implemented
targeted reduction plans. They also changed
purchasing policies to buy mercury-free caustic soda.
We Energies provides electric and natural gas services to
Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and water
and steam services to northern suburban and downtown
Milwaukee.
Consumers Energy Company established a Mercury
Pollution Prevention Initiative in 1996 and by
2002 reduced elemental mercury by 90 percent
and mercury-containing equipment by more than
33 percent.
Consumers Energy Company provides electric and natural gas
services to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
The National Partnership for
Environmental Priorities (NPEP)
Mercury Challenge
Be proactive...
join the PARTNERSHIP.
Be committed...
take the PLEDGE.
Be an environmental steward...
accept the CHALLENGE!
For more information about mercury,
NPEP, or how to create a mercury
reduction program, please visit:
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/
hazwaste/minimize/mercchall. htm
National
Partnership
for
Environmental
Priorities
The National Partnership
for Environmental Priorities
Mercury Challenge
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Be part of the solution:
prevent mercury pollution!
EPA530-F-05-008
October 2005
Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with Vegetable Oil-Eased Inks on 100%
Postconsumer, Process Chlorine-Free Recycled Paper
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What is mercury?
fj Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that
exists as
— elemental (or metallic) mercury,
- inorganic mercury compounds, or
— organic mercury compounds,
'j Elemental mercury is a shiny, silver-white,
odorless liquid used in thermometers, electrical
switches, and batteries. At room temperature,
elemental mercury can evaporate to become a
colorless, odorless gas.
(J Mercury combines with carbon to form organic
mercury compounds. In addition, microscopic
organisms in water and soil convert inorganic
mercury into methylmercury, the most common
organic mercury compound in the environment.
Methylmercury accumulates up the food chain.
Did you know?
>
Two thousand metric tons of mercury are
estimated to be in use in equipment in U.S.
industries, including measuring and control
instruments (e.g., switches, relays, thermostats)
and electrical equipment.
When mercury-containing equipment is
replaced, mercury can be released if the disposed
equipment is
- broken, allowing elemental mercury to be
exposed to air;
- incinerated, releasing mercury into the air; or
— deposited in a landfill, allowing mercury to
migrate to soil, water, and air.
Mercury is one of EPA's targeted priority
chemicals.
Several state governments have banned mercury-
containing equipment — is your state one of
them?
Why is mercury a problem?
'j Mercury does not go away. It does not degrade,
and it is not destroyed by combustion. Instead,
liquid mercury can volatilize to become a vapor
that can travel long distances.
Mercury cycles among soil, air, and surface water.
Its toxicity can cause damage to the liver, kidneys,
nervous system, or reproductive system in
humans.
Mercury accumulates in the food chain —
especially in fish — concentrating as it moves from
the bottom to the top.
Here's what industry and businesses
can do to help:
Join the National Partnership
for Environmental Priorities (NPEP)
(http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/
minimize/mercchalLhtm) .
Take the Mercury Reduction Pledge.
Mercury Pledge
Our company will...
J Identify mercury in our facilities and products
J Replace mercury-containing equipment with
mercury-free alternatives
J Dispose of mercury-containing equipment safely
>/ Establish mercury-free purchasing policies
>/ Educate staff, suppliers, and clients about
mercury and mercury-free alternatives
As an NPEP Partner, you will receive
public recognition for your commitment
to reduce mercury.
What EPA can offer you:
— identification of possible mercury sources,
— suggestions for mercury-free alternatives and
mercury product disposal options, and
— examples of mercury reduction programs.
Visit http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/
mercchall.htm.
How do you benefit from reducing mercury in
your facility?
— Reduced potential worker exposure
— Reduced mercury disposal and collection costs
— Minimized risk of mercury spills and their
cleanup costs
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