Brian Barton
Mercury is a highly toxic metal that poses a serious health risk, especially for children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. It is a naturally occurring element found in air, water, and soil. Once released into the environment, it can travel far from its original source, making it a critical issue for international cooperation. To protect public health, it is imperative to address mercury pollution. This can be achieved through a combination of preventive and control measures, such as reducing the use of mercury-containing products, implementing end-of-pipe techniques, improving waste management practices, and transitioning to alternative energy sources.
How to stop mercury pollution
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reduce the use of mercury-containing products | The EPA advises consumers on using alternatives to products that contain mercury, and on recycling and disposing of these products. |
| Reduce the use of raw materials containing unwanted mercury impurities | The EPA has issued regulations to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants. |
| Reduce the use of mercury in industrial processes | The Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global agreement to reduce mercury pollution, calls for parties to reduce or eliminate the use of mercury in certain industrial processes. |
| Reduce the supply of mercury | The Minamata Convention on Mercury calls for parties to reduce the supply of mercury by ending primary mercury mining. |
| Improve waste management | Effective waste management can reduce mercury releases from spills or gradual leakage. |
| Reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants | The federal government has enacted standards for mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants, and power plants have taken steps such as installing controls or updating operations to meet these standards. |
| Reduce exposure to mercury | People can reduce their exposure to mercury by eating fish and shellfish that are low in mercury and avoiding those that have higher levels of mercury. |
| Address the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining | Mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining is particularly hazardous, and non-mercury gold-extraction techniques need to be promoted and implemented. |
| Develop and implement standards and regulations | The EPA has developed standards and regulations to reduce mercury pollution, such as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) and the Methylmercury Fish Tissue Criterion. |
| Educate and raise awareness | The EPA provides information to the public on how to reduce their exposure to mercury and how to properly dispose of and recycle mercury-containing products. |
| International cooperation | Mercury emissions can travel in the atmosphere around the earth, far from their source, so international cooperation is critical to reducing mercury pollution. The Minamata Convention on Mercury now has 151 parties. |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce the use of mercury-containing products
Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in the Earth's crust, and it can be found in the air, water, and soil. Exposure to mercury, even in small amounts, can cause serious health issues and is particularly dangerous for children. It can have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, as well as the lungs, kidneys, skin, and eyes.
Reducing the Use of Mercury-Containing Products
One of the most effective ways to prevent mercury pollution is to reduce the use of products that contain mercury. Mercury is often found in everyday items, and consumers play a crucial role in minimizing its use. Here are some ways to achieve this:
- Awareness and Labeling: Being aware of products that contain mercury is essential. Some common sources of mercury include batteries, thermometers, thermostats, light bulbs, switches and relays in older vehicles, jewelry, and even some skin-lightening creams. Labels and proper information on product packaging help consumers make informed choices.
- Alternatives and Substitutions: Opting for mercury-free alternatives is a powerful preventive measure. For example, choosing energy sources like natural gas, nuclear power, wind, or solar energy instead of coal-burning power plants reduces mercury emissions. Similarly, non-mercury thermostats and thermometers are commercially available and should be chosen over mercury-containing options.
- Dental Practices: Mercury is commonly used in dental amalgam fillings. The EPA has worked with dental associations and manufacturers to promote best practices for disposing of amalgam waste and encouraging the use of amalgam separators in dental offices. The Minamata Convention on Mercury aims for countries to phase down or out the use of dental amalgam.
- Waste Management: Proper waste management is critical. Households should separate waste and dispose of mercury-containing products at specialized hazardous waste collection centers. For example, old thermostats, televisions and other electronics with mercury switches should be properly recycled.
- Reducing Consumption of Mercury-Contaminated Food: Mercury can enter the food chain, especially in fish and shellfish. To minimize exposure, it is recommended to eat fish and shellfish with lower mercury levels and limit consumption of fish with higher mercury content.
- Regulations and Standards: Governments and organizations like the EPA and WHO play a vital role in regulating and reducing mercury-containing products. The Minamata Convention on Mercury, for instance, prohibits the manufacture, import, and export of certain mercury-added products after 2025.
By following these measures and choosing mercury-free alternatives, individuals and communities can significantly contribute to reducing mercury pollution and protecting public health.
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Avoid eating contaminated fish
Fish is an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients. However, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury, a toxic heavy metal. As small fish are eaten by larger fish, the concentration of mercury increases, so larger, predatory fish tend to contain the highest levels.
Fish with higher levels of mercury include shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel. Larger carp, catfish, trout, and perch are also more likely to have fish advisories due to mercury or other contaminants. Albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna, so it should be limited to 6 ounces per week. Children under 6 should limit their fish consumption to 1 to 2 ounces per week, while those 6 to 12 years old should limit intake to 2 to 3 ounces per week.
To avoid eating contaminated fish, it is best to choose a variety of fish that are lower in mercury. The FDA recommends that adults eat up to 12 ounces (two average meals) per week of a variety of cooked seafood, avoiding large predatory ocean fish and paying attention to local seafood advisories. For women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children 12 and younger, the guidelines suggest eating 8 to 12 ounces (two to three average meals) per week.
If you catch your own fish, check for advisories to determine how often you can safely eat those fish. If there is no advisory, eat only one serving and no other fish that week. Local advisories can also inform you about the safety of fish caught in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.
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Implement control measures at the point of emission
Mercury is a toxic and ubiquitous metal with broad uses in various fields. As such, the control of mercury emissions throughout its life cycle in the ecosystem is of utmost importance to prevent its harmful effects on the environment and human health.
One way to implement control measures at the point of emission is to reduce the use of mercury-containing products and raw materials with unwanted mercury impurities. This can be achieved by substituting mercury-containing products with non-mercury alternatives. For example, consumers can be advised to use mercury-free products, and hospitals can be required to stop using mercury-containing equipment and eliminate mercury-containing waste. Additionally, the use of low-mercury fuel or alternative raw materials for power generation, such as natural gas instead of coal, can help control mercury emissions.
End-of-pipe techniques are another control method at the point of emission. These techniques involve filtering exhaust gases and are useful when raw materials contain trace amounts of mercury, such as in fossil-fuelled power plants, cement production, and metal mining and processing. While these techniques help mitigate atmospheric mercury pollution, they produce contaminated waste that requires proper management to prevent future mercury releases.
Another control measure is waste management, which can reduce mercury releases from spills or gradual leakage. For instance, municipal and medical waste incinerators can remove mercury-containing waste before burning, and power-plant boilers can use less fuel or switch to better alternatives.
Furthermore, specific technologies aimed at controlling mercury emissions are being developed. For example, the Gold Shop Mercury Capture System (MCS) is a low-cost and easily constructible technology designed to reduce airborne mercury emissions from small-scale gold buying and refining facilities. Additionally, the United States has joined the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global treaty aimed at protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury compounds. This convention includes control measures on air emissions and the international regulation of the informal sector for artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
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Develop alternatives to mercury-containing waste
Developing alternatives to mercury-containing waste is crucial to reducing mercury pollution. Here are some strategies to achieve this:
Promote the Use of Non-Mercury Products: One of the most effective ways to reduce mercury waste is to replace products that contain mercury with non-mercury alternatives. This can substantially decrease mercury levels in households, the waste stream, and the environment. For example, consumers can choose to buy and use mercury-free products, such as mercury-free lighting, thermostats, batteries, and dental fillings. The EPA advises consumers on using alternatives and provides guidance on recycling and disposing of mercury-containing products.
Improve Waste Management Practices: Effective waste management is essential for controlling mercury releases. This includes proper separation, collection, and disposal of mercury-containing waste. Some counties and cities have implemented household hazardous waste collection programs, where residents can safely dispose of mercury-containing items like batteries, thermostats, and light bulbs. Additionally, medical waste incinerators can remove mercury-containing waste before burning, reducing mercury emissions.
Reduce Mercury in Manufacturing and Industrial Processes: Industries that use raw materials with trace amounts of mercury can switch to higher-quality raw materials with lower mercury content. For example, the cement, mining, and metal industries can implement end-of-pipe controls and use better raw materials to reduce mercury emissions. The scrap steel industry can separate and remove mercury-containing components like lights and switches before processing.
Regulate and Monitor Mercury Emissions: Governments and organizations, such as the EPA, play a crucial role in regulating and monitoring mercury emissions. The EPA has implemented rules and standards, such as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), to reduce mercury emissions from power plants. They also provide guidance to states and tribes to establish water quality standards and help develop plans to reduce pollution in water bodies.
Educate and Train Professionals: Providing training and education on safer methods that reduce or eliminate mercury use is essential. For instance, small-scale gold miners can be trained in techniques that use less or no mercury. Similarly, dentists can be educated on preparing mercury amalgam fillings more efficiently, using alternative materials, or installing amalgam separators to collect and recycle mercury, reducing its release into the environment.
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Reduce airborne mercury emissions
Mercury is a highly toxic metal that poses a serious health risk, particularly to children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. It is a critical issue for international cooperation as mercury emissions can travel in the atmosphere around the earth, far from their sources.
To reduce airborne mercury emissions, it is important to limit the use of mercury-containing products and raw materials with mercury impurities. This can be achieved by promoting the use of alternative products and processes that do not contain or use mercury. For example, consumers can be advised to use products that are mercury-free and to eat fish and shellfish with lower mercury levels. Additionally, mercury-containing waste should be properly managed and recycled to prevent its release into the environment.
In terms of energy production, coal-burning power plants are a major source of mercury pollution. Mercury is released into the air when coal is burned, so it is important to reduce the use of coal-fired power plants and switch to alternative energy sources such as natural gas, nuclear power, wind, or solar energy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued regulations such as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) to reduce emissions from these plants, which are estimated to have significant health benefits.
Another major source of mercury emissions is the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global agreement to reduce mercury pollution, addresses this issue by calling for a reduction or elimination of mercury use in certain industrial processes, including gold mining. The agreement also includes provisions for the environmentally sound storage and disposal of mercury waste. To support this, the U.S. Department of State's Mercury Program promotes pilot projects and assists developing countries in meeting their obligations under the Minamata Convention.
Furthermore, control measures can be implemented at the point of emission to reduce airborne mercury releases. End-of-pipe techniques such as filtering exhaust gases are effective when raw materials contain small amounts of mercury. These techniques are used in fossil-fueled power plants, cement production, and metal mining and processing. Additionally, waste separation and effective waste management practices can help reduce mercury emissions from incinerators and other sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Individuals can reduce mercury pollution by choosing to buy and use products that are mercury-free. Eating fish and shellfish low in mercury, and limiting consumption of types of fish that typically have higher levels of mercury is also recommended.
Industries can reduce mercury pollution by implementing preventive measures such as reducing the use of mercury-containing products and raw materials containing unwanted mercury impurities. Replacing products and processes that contain or use mercury with mercury-free alternatives is one of the most powerful preventive measures.
Governments can implement regulations and standards to reduce mercury emissions, such as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) regulation, which aims to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants. Governments can also promote and implement non-mercury (non-cyanide) gold-extraction techniques, as mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining is particularly hazardous.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global agreement to reduce mercury pollution, which was signed by the United States in 2013 and entered into force in 2017. The convention calls for parties to control and reduce mercury emissions to the air from industrial sources, reduce or eliminate the use of mercury in certain products and processes, and reduce the supply of mercury by ending primary mercury mining.
