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Mercury
EPA Goal 1: Taking Action on Climate Change and Improving Air Quality
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...and other Persistent Pollutants
Introduction
Pollutants can persist in the environment and can adversely affect ecological systems, wildlife, and human health. Some pollutants are of particular concern because they remain in the environment for long periods of time and are often transferred between environmental media (e.g., from air to water). EPA has focused its research efforts on mercury, which persists in the environment and can bio-accumulate in animal tissue.
Mercury’s primary human health risk comes with the consumption of fish, particularly larger fish such as tuna. Research is driven by new information on exposures and risks, and a variety of regulatory programs that require EPA to take action to reduce mercury emissions.
Mercury is used in a variety of commercial products (e.g., fluorescent lighting) and is emitted by several combustion processes, including waste incineration and power production (primarily from coal-fired power plants). Mercury is also used in chlorine production and is associated with mining activities.
While there has been a variety of initiatives to work with manufacturers to reduce or eliminate mercury in products, EPA’s program has largely focused on providing information to support the development of standards to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Environmental Issue or Problem
EPA faces challenges as it addresses pollutants that are PBT: persistent in ecosystems, bioaccumulative (they accumulate in fish and are carried up the food chain), and toxic. The challenge stems from the pollutants' ability to travel long distances; to be transferred easily across air, water, and land; and to linger for generations, making EPA's traditional single statute approach inadequate for reducing risks from PBTs. Because of the number of adverse health and ecological effects linked to PBT pollutants (especially mercury, polychlorinated byphenys, and dioxins), EPA aims for further reductions in PBT risks. Fetuses and children are especially vulnerable. EPA is committed to creating an enduring research program that will address the cross-media issues associated with priority PBT pollutants.
Long-Term Goal and Annual Performance Goals Addressed
Clean Air Multi-Year Plan (MYP) 2008-2012 (PDF) (52 pp, 293 KB, About PDF)
Contact
Douglas McKinney
Assistant Laboratory Director, Global | Sustainability | Mercury