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Addressing Toxics, Hazardous Materials, and Waste

Laboratory instruments containing vividly-colored fluids

Improper management and disposal of toxic substances poses a threat to local and global environments. Once released into the environment, many of these substances can travel long distances and affect ecosystems and human populations far from the point of use or disposal. In addition, toxic chemicals can accumulate in the environment and pose long-term threats to human health. EPA works to reduce the use and release of toxics that can cause harm to humans and ecosystems, by providing technical assistance and capacity building to developing countries and by providing technical input into international negotiations for the sound management of toxic substances and wastes.

EPA works closely with multilateral organizations to address the threats posed by persistent bio-accumulative toxic substances (PBT's), like mercury, and to reduce the risks associated with the manufacturing, storage, and disposal of toxic chemicals. For instance, EPA is a key player in the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership, which seeks to reduce the use of mercury in key sectors worldwide.

Mercury

Gold Shops -- artisanal and small-scale gold buying and refining facilities in the developing world -- process a significant percentage of the world’s annual gold production, and are a major cause of air pollution from mercury. EPA's low-cost, easily constructible Mercury Control System technology is reducing the harmful health effects of mercury air pollution from gold refining, for communities in the Amazon and worldwide.

Learn about our efforts to Reduce Mercury Pollution from Gold Mining.
Learn about the International Agreement on Global Control of Mercury Pollution
Learn about EPA leadership and activities in the Global Mercury Partnership

E-Waste

Increasing waste from electronics (known as “e-waste”) is a significant problem. Meeting this challenge will require more sustainable management of electronics throughout the product lifecycle -- from the design and manufacturing of the product, to its use and eventual recycling and disposal. To address this problem, President Barack Obama has established a task force to develop a national strategy for responsible electronic stewardship.

Learn about EPA's international efforts to address the problem of e-waste.

Other Activities

EPA is engaged with activities to reduce toxics, hazardous materials, and waste in the Arctic, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.

EPA played an early role in the Chemical Information Exchange Network (CIEN) Exit EPA disclaimer, launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2000.

In addition, EPA provides technical support and capacity building for the negotiation and implementation of other multilateral environmental agreements on chemicals and waste, including:

For example, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are targeted under the Stockholm Convention, an international treaty that addresses the dangers of chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides like DDT and toxaphene, and dioxins and furans. Although most developed nations, including the United States, have taken strong action to control POPs, a great number of developing nations only recently have begun to restrict the production, use, and release of these substances. EPA helps foreign partners better manage these materials.  See:  Persistent Organic Pollutants: A Global Issue, A Global Response: exploring the health and environmental impacts of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and what actions the United States and other nations are taking to address these pollutants.

Learn More:

  • Persistent Organic Pollutants: A Global Issue, A Global Response: exploring the health and environmental impacts of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and what actions the United States and other nations are taking to address these pollutants.
  • Pesticides. EPA's international pesticide activities range from protecting the U.S. food supply to assisting developing countries to develop appropriate pesticide regulatory programs.
  • Pollution prevention and toxics. EPA works to promote community right-to-know objectives; as well as the safe manufacture, use, management and disposal of chemicals and heavy metals.
  • Expore a technology demonstration for Reducing Mercury Emissions from Small-Scale Gold Refining Facilities Exit EPA disclaimer
  • Download a manual (21 pp, 1.59 M,  About PDF Files) with detailed information for constructing a device to capture mercury aerosol particles emitted from gold shops that process gold dore’, a gold-mercury amalgam. (Following the construction guidelines in this manual, 80% or more of the mercury emitted will be captured.)
  • Long-Range Transport: View The 2000 Aljoya Consensus Statement on Long-Range Transport in the North Pacific

    • Additional Resources:

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