United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA530-R-08-001
February 2008
National Priority Chemicals Trends Report (2001-2005)
Section 4
Chemical Specific Trends Analyses for Priority Chemicals (2001-2005):
Mercury and Mercury Compounds (Mercury)
Hazardous Waste Minimization and Management Division
Office of Solid Waste
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Contact Information:
Bill Kline, Senior Data Analyst
Analysis & Information Branch
(540) 341-3631
kline.bill@epa.gov
Tammie Owen, Data Analyst
Analysis & Information Branch
(703) 308-4044
owen.tammie@epa.gov
Ben Lesser, Chief
Analysis & Information Branch
(703) 308-0314
lesser.ben@epa.gov
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Mercury and Mercury Compounds (Mercury)
Chemical Information:
General Uses - Mercury is a precious metal used in chlor-alkali production, wiring devices, switching
mechanisms, amalgam dental fillings, and measurement and control instruments. Industries also
manufacture and process mercury reagents, catalysts, and medicinal chemicals. Metal ores, coal, crude
oil, and fuel oils contain mercury as a trace constituent. Mercury is produced as a byproduct of gold ore
mining operations. Secondary production of mercury involves the recovery of mercury from dismantled
equipment and recovery from scrap and industrial wastes using a thermal or chemical extractive process.
Major sources of recycled or recovered mercury include scrap from instrument and electrical
manufactures (lamps and switches), wastes and sludge from laboratories and electrolytic refining plants,
mercury batteries, and dental amalgams. Mercury is also found as a trace contaminant in fossil fuels and
waste materials. The combination of the elevated temperature of the process and the volatility of
mercury results in their being emitted in the combustion gas exhaust stream.
How Much Mercury Was Generated?
Exhibit 4.100. National Generation of Mercury (2001-2005)
TRI Reporting Year
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Total Quantity of Mercury (pounds)
132,565
110,027
47,267
60,900
76,664
Number of TRI Facilities Reporting Mercury
506
525
551
592
597
For 2005, 597 facilities reported approximately 77,000 pounds of mercury, representing a decrease of
approximately 56,000 pounds, or 42 percent, compared to the total quantity of mercury reported for 2001
(Exhibit 4.100). Since 2001, the number of facilities that reported mercury has increased.
Exhibit 4.101. Distribution of Quantities by Facilities Reporting Mercury (2005)
Mercury (76,664 pounds)
Quantity Reported
Number of Facilities Reporting
This Quantity (2005)
Percent of Total Quantity of
Mercury (2005)
up to 10 pounds
344
1.2%
between 11 -100 pounds
182
7.1%
between 101 -1,000 pounds
64
23.4%
between 1,001 - 10,000 pounds
6
27.8%
between 10,001 - 100,000 pounds
1
40.5%
between 100,001 - 1 million pounds
0
0.0%
> 1 million pounds
0
0.0%
One facility reported approximately 41 percent of the total quantity of mercury; seven facilities reported
approximately 68 percent of the total quantity of mercury (Exhibit 4.101).
4-72
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Where Was Mercury Generated?
Exhibit 4.102. Location of Facilities that Reported Mercury (2005)
JUL
IF
Pacific
Ocean
597 Facilities Reporting Mercury
~ 10 largest facilities reporting mercury
Other facilities reporting mercury
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Exhibit 4.103. Quantity of Mercury, by EPA Region and State, for Facilities Reporting
90 Percent of the Total Quantity in 2005
EPA
Region
State
2001
(pounds)
2002
(pounds)
2003
(pounds)
2004
(pounds)
2005
(pounds)
Percent of
Total National
Quantity of
Mercury
(2005)
9
CA
51,282
6,639
1,713
13,784
32,318
42.2%
5
OH
1,991
1,844
5,481
6,334
7,229
9.4%
4
AL
8,271
15,863
2,503
2,970
6,295
8.2%
1
VT
0
7,354
4,979
9,357
5,510
7.2%
6
TX
6,330
3,087
4,233
4,950
3,345
4.4%
6
LA
2,941
16,979
1,721
1,417
2,828
3.7%
4
FL
1,284
1,188
2,011
3,297
2,773
3.6%
3
MD
7
264
97
282
1,817
2.4%
7
IA
303
1,357
760
533
1,475
1.9%
4
SC
203
272
241
3,145
1,009
1.3%
3
DE
1,047
1,277
2,150
1,086
959
1.3%
10
ID
1,080
1,096
724
852
919
1.2%
4
NC
1,240
1,376
715
714
887
1.2%
4
TN
1,935
1,962
1,008
1,660
821
1.1%
3
WV
16,790
1,027
1,266
1,191
738
1.0%
For 2005, facilities in EPA Region 9 reported approximately 43 percent of the total national quantity of
mercury; a facility in California reported approximately 95 percent of the mercury in this region (Exhibit
4.103). Compared to quantities reported for 2001, facilities in EPA Regions 3 and 4 reported significant
decreases in mercury.
Some highlights concerning trends for the reported quantity of mercury in states include:
In California, one facility reported most of the mercury since 2001. This facility reported significant
year-to-year fluctuations including: a decrease of approximately 42,000 pounds from 2001-2002 and an
increase of approximately 18,600 pounds from 2004-2005. The mercury at this facility was generated as
a by-product resulting from removal of the mercury from a geothermal stream passed through carbon
beds at a geothermal energy plant.
In Ohio, from 2003 to 2005, a facility reported increases of approximately 4,000 pounds, 800 pounds,
and 900 pounds, respectively, accounting for much of the overall increase reported by Ohio facilities.
In Vermont, a facility that began reporting mercury for 2002 accounted for 100 percent of the total
quantity reported since 2002.
In West Virginia, one facility reported most of the mercury since 2001. This facility reported a large
decrease of approximately 15,800 pounds for 2002.
4-74
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Exhibit 4.104. Quantity of Mercury, by State and County, for Facilities Reporting
75 Percent of the Total Quantity (2005)
State
County
Quantity (pounds) of Mercury
Percent of
Total National
Quantity of
Mercury (2005)
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
CA
Kern
47,564
5,186
479
12,431
31,041
40.5%
OH
Richland
457
290
4,210
5,000
5,900
7.7%
VT
Rutland
0
7,354
4,979
9,357
5,510
7.2%
AL
Mobile
7,453
14,988
1,555
2,018
5,346
7.0%
FL
Hamilton
1,112
999
1,811
3,085
2,426
3.2%
TX
Guadalupe
882
1,398
2,002
2,702
1,284
1.7%
MD
Carroll
0
0
0
0
1,112
1.5%
TX
Harris
4,684
952
1,337
695
1,053
1.4%
LA
Calcasieu
790
234
377
571
983
1.3%
DE
New Castle
932
1,175
2,117
1,048
932
1.2%
LA
St James
0
0
98
272
871
1.1%
SC
Aiken
14
53
0
3,035
824
1.1%
For 2005, a facility in Kern County, California reported approximately 41 percent of the total national quantity
of mercury, including virtually all the mercury in California (Exhibit 4.104). The mercury at this facility was
generated as a by-product resulting from the removal of the mercury from a geothermal stream passed through
carbon beds at a geothermal energy plant.
A facility in Carroll County, Maryland reported approximately 1,100 pounds of mercury for 2005; this facility
had not reported mercury for 2001-2004. The source of mercury reported by this facility was mercury seals on
water pumps, including pumps that were serviced or reconditioned. The facility plans to stop selling water
pumps with mercury seals; however, older pumps returned for servicing or reconditioning might continue to be
a source of mercury at this facility.
A federal facility in Aiken County, South Carolina reported an increase of approximately 3,000 pounds for
2004; this increase resulted from the disposal of 23 drums of stockpiled mercury wastes.
4-75
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Which Industries Generated Mercury?
Exhibit 4.105. Industry Sectors Quantities o
'Mercury (2001-2005), for Facilities Reporting 90 Percent of the Total Quantity
(2005)
Primary
SIC
Code
SIC Description
Number of
Facilities
Reporting
Mercury in This
SIC Code (2005)
Quantity (pounds) of Mercury
Percent of Total
National
Quantity of
Mercury (2005)
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
9711
National security
8
47,568
5,394
656
15,744
32,592
42.5%
3312
Blast furnaces and steel mills
56
4,216
3,279
8,020
10,407
9,350
12.2%
3641
Electric lamps
14
1,094
8,285
5,468
9,941
6,171
8.0%
3479
Metal coating and allied services
1
6,680
11,560
1,083
1,780
5,077
6.6%
2812
Alkalies and chlorine
9
25,273
6,808
6,361
4,383
4,490
5.9%
2819
Industrial inorganic chemicals, nec
16
4,657
5,078
6,036
4,382
3,779
4.9%
2911
Petroleum refining
93
4,778
2,161
2,411
2,751
2,049
2.7%
3561
Pumps and pumping equipment
2
0
0
0
0
1,112
1.5%
2865
Cyclic crudes and intermediates
6
91
37
283
633
912
1.2%
3341
Secondary nonferrous metals
3
96
510
122
296
872
1.1%
2874
Phosphatic fertilizers
5
1,012
1,277
646
687
871
1.1%
2621
Paper mills
51
656
720
560
681
703
0.9%
3692
Primary batteries, dry and wet
3
467
567
671
419
687
0.9%
Total
267
96,588
45,677
32,318
52,104
68,665
89.6%
For 2005, facilities in 95 SIC codes reported mercury. Exhibit 4.105 shows the quantity of mercury for the industry sectors in which facilities
reported 90 percent of this PC for 2005. Some highlights concerning trends for the reported quantity of mercury within industry sectors include:
SIC 9711 (National security)
A facility, located in California, reported the largest quantities of mercury since 2001, including approximately 95 percent of the total quantity
for this sector in 2005. This facility extracts mercury as a by-product from a geothermal stream passed through carbon beds at a geothermal
energy plant. Another facility, located in South Carolina, reported an increase of approximately 3,000 pounds for 2004 when it disposed of
23 drums of stockpiled mercury wastes.
SIC 3312 (Blast furnaces and steel mills)
For 2003-2005, a facility in Ohio reported increases of approximately 4,000 pounds, 800 pounds, and 900 pounds, respectively. A facility in
Texas reported an increase of approximately 700 pounds for 2002 and again for 2003. A facility in Kentucky reported approximately 1,100
pounds of mercury for 2004 - this facility did not otherwise report mercury for 2001-2005.
SIC 3641 (Electric lamps)
A facility in Vermont began reporting mercury for 2002, reporting approximately 7,400 pounds. This facility accounted for most of the
mercury reported by facilities in this industry sector, including approximately 89 percent of the total quantity for 2005.
4-76
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SIC 3479 (Metal coating and allied services)
Since 2001, one facility, located in Alabama, reported 100 percent of the mercury in this industry sector.
SIC 2812 (Alkalies and chlorine)
Since 2001, a facility in West Virginia reported most of the mercury in this industry sector. For 2002,
this facility reported a large decrease of approximately 15,800 pounds.
SIC 3561 (Pumps and pumping equipment)
For 2005, a facility in Maryland reported approximately 1,100 pounds of mercury - virtually 100 percent
of the mercury in this industry sector. The source of mercury reported by this facility was mercury seals
on water pumps, including pumps that were serviced or reconditioned. Neither this facility nor other
facilities in this industry sector reported mercury for 2001-2004.
How Did Facilities Manage Mercury?
Exhibit 4.106. Trends in Management Methods for Mercury (2001-2005)
Management Method for Mercury
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Disposal Quantity (pounds)
95,969
108,196
47,242
60,878
76,643
Energy Recovery Quantity (pounds)*
2
0
21
21
21
Treatment Quantity (pounds)*
36,594
1,831
4
1
0
Recycled (pounds)21
444,782
457,906
492,556
610,744
1,038,851
* Since mercury is a metal, disposal and recycling are the only applicable management methods. The energy recovery and treatment
quantities may have been misreported to TRI.
Exhibit 4.106 shows the national trends for how facilities managed mercury in 2001-2005.
Disposal: Compared to 2001, facilities reported a decrease of approximately 19,000 pounds or 20 percent for
2005. Year-to-year fluctuations in the quantity of mercury reported by a federal facility in California, caused
by variations in the amount of mercury extracted as a by-product from a geothermal stream passed through
carbon beds at a geothermal energy plant, accounted for much of the significant decrease in 2003 and increase
in 2005.
Recycling: Since 2001, recycling of mercury steadily increased each year. By 2005, recycling increased by
approximately 594,000 pounds or 134 percent, compared to the quantity recycled in 2001.
Exhibit 4.107. Management Methods for Mercury in Industry Sectors, for Facilities Reporting
99 Percent of Total Disposal Quantity in 2005
Primary
SIC
Code
SIC Code Description
Onsite Disposal
(pounds)
Offsite Disposal
(pounds)
Onsite Recycling
(pounds)
Offsite Recycling
(pounds)
9711
National security
25
32,568
0
232
3312
Blast furnaces and steel mills
46
9,304
39
3,885
3641
Electric lamps
0
6,171
27
1,835
3479
Metal coating and allied services
0
5,077
0
776
2812
Alkalies and chlorine
255
4,235
206,374
395,349
2819
Industrial inorganic chemicals, nec
3,440
339
373,891
9,382
2911
Petroleum refining
162
1,866
1,197
964
3561
Pumps and pumping equipment
0
1,112
0
0
2865
Cyclic crudes and intermediates
0
912
0
2
21 For additional information on recycled quantities see footnote 8.
4-77
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Exhibit 4.107. Management Methods for Mercury in Industry Sectors, for Facilities Reporting
99 Percent of Total Disposal Quantity in 2005
Primary
SIC
Code
SIC Code Description
Onsite Disposal
(pounds)
Offsite Disposal
(pounds)
Onsite Recycling
(pounds)
Offsite Recycling
(pounds)
3341
Secondary nonferrous metals
0
872
0
0
2874
Phosphatic fertilizers
871
0
0
0
2621
Paper mills
218
485
0
7
3692
Primary batteries, dry and wet
0
687
0
75
Approximately 93 percent of mercury disposal was disposed of offsite; mercury was recycled about equally
onsite and offsite (Exhibit 4.107). Facilities in SIC 2812 (Alkalies and chlorine) reported approximately 61
percent of the total quantity of mercury recycled. Facilities in SIC 2819 (Industrial inorganic chemicals, nec)
also recycled, mostly onsite, a substantial quantity of mercury.
Facilities Only Recycling Mercury
Exhibit 4.108. Facilities That Only Recycled Mercury in 2005
Primary
SIC
Code
SIC Code Description
State
County
Onsite
Recycling
(pounds)
Offsite
Recycling
(pounds)
Total
Recycling
(pounds)
3312
Blast furnaces and steel mills
TX
El Paso
0
3,281
3,281
3625
Relays and industrial controls
Ml
Cass
255
1,357
1,612
3672
Printed circuit boards
PR
Aguadilla
0
1,130
1,130
3692
Primary batteries, dry and wet
VT
Bennington
0
4,504
4,504
3843
Dental equipment and supplies
DE
Sussex
0
9,626
9,626
Ml
Wayne
0
1,110
1,110
9199
General government, nec
OR
Wasco
0
2,676
2,676
For 2005, 106 facilities in 52 industry sectors reported they only used recycling to manage approximately
32,000 pounds of mercury. Exhibit 4.108 shows information for the facilities that reported 75 percent of this
total quantity for 2005. Three facilities in SIC 3843 (Dental equipment and supplies) reported approximately 34
percent of the total quantity of mercury recycled.
4-78
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