Publication Summary

This plan describes elements of a campaign to virtually eliminate the use and release of human-caused mercury in Washington State. Currently, about 3,800 to 5,000 pounds of mercury are released into the state′s environment each year from human sources. Mercury pollution comes from land-filling, incinerating, or flushing down the drain a variety of consumer products; mining; coal-powered plant emissions; refineries; municipal sewage plants; and other sources. Mercury discharged to land, air, or water can eventually find its way to lakes, rivers, and the ocean, where it settles into sediments. By focusing on better waste disposal, management, and recycling, mercury pollution can be greatly reduced.

Under guidance by the 2002 Legislature, the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Health have developed the Mercury Chemical Action Plan. This plan targets mercury as the first priority in the state′s Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBT) Strategy and describes elements of a statewide campaign to virtually eliminate the use and release of human-caused mercury in Washington State. Currently, about 3,800 to 5,000 pounds of mercury are released into Washington′s environment each year from human sources within the state. Mercury pollution comes from land-filling, incinerating, or flushing down the drain a variety of consumer products; mining; coal-powered plant emissions; refineries; municipal sewage plants; and other sources. Mercury discharged to land, air, or water can eventually find its way to lakes, rivers, and the ocean, where it settles into sediments. By focusing on better waste disposal, management, and recycling, mercury pollution can be greatly reduced.

This document identifies sources of human-caused (anthropogenic) mercury in Washington State, outlines the existing regulatory structure around mercury, describes existing mercury-reduction efforts, identifies possible strategies for further mercury reduction, and makes recommendations for action to be taken by the state Department of Ecology and the state Department of Health.