Mercury Reduction in Washington

Ecology and the Department of Health worked with stakeholders to develop Washington’s Mercury Chemical Action Plan, crafted in 2003. Here, learn about mercury and its effects, sources of mercury and about Washington State’s plan and its progress. Also, learn what you can do to help to eliminate human-produced sources of mercury from Washington.

Mercury News
Ecology leads on reducing toxics, joins EPA's partnership | Ecology recognizes quicksilver champions | More…

Mercury Laws, Rules and Plans
Mercury Education and Reduction Act (MERA) | Mercury Chemical Action Plan | Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics Rule | Universal Waste Rules

Mercury and Its Compounds 
Metal and Compounds | Toxicity and Health Effects | Historical Uses of Mercury

Mercury Sources:

Mercury-containing Products
Thermostats | Switches and Relays | Thermometers Barometers and Altimeters | Dairy Manometers | Lamps/ Light Bulbs | Batteries | Novelties and Toys | Medicine

Mercury in Industry
Manufacturing | Mining | Power Plants | Biosolids | Incinerators

Mercury-reduction Partnerships
Small-scale Miners | Utility Companies | Automobile Recyclers | Dental Association | Hospital Association | Washington Dept. of Health | Puget Sound Partnership

Mercury Measures
Total Reductions | Fish Tissue | Biosolids/Sewage Sludge | Deposition in Core Samples | Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Emissions | Thermostats Recycled | Landfill Gas | Mercury Deposition Network

Related information:

Ecology's PBT Initiative Ecology is working to eliminate priority Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins and toxic metals from Washington’s environment.

Interstate Mercury Education & Reduction Clearinghouse (IMERC) Washington is a member of this multi-state initiative.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Issued in 2006, this flame retardant was the second Chemical Action Plan.

Lead Chemical Action Plan This third CAP is nearly in its final form.

Fish Advisories at the Washington State Department of Health