Mercury Reduction in Washington

Learn more about mercury and what Washington state is doing to protect people and the environment from this potent poison. Washington’s Mercury Chemical Action Plan guides the process of eliminating human-produced sources of mercury. Since January 2003, a large group of citizens, businesses, state agencies and local governments has worked together to keep mercury out of the environment.

Mercury and Its Compounds

• Metallic Mercury and Mercury Compounds
• Toxicity and Health Effects
• Historical Uses of Mercury in Washington

Mercury Sources

• Mercury-containing Products
• Industrial Sources

Mercury-reduction Partnerships The Departments of Ecology and Health, other agencies, business associations and non-profits work together.

Mercury Laws and Rules Since 2001, Washington has enacted laws and rules to stop human-created mercury from entering the environment, including

• Mercury Education and Reduction Act (MERA)
• Washington's Mercury Chemical Action Plan
• The Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins Rule
• Universal Waste Rules

Mercury Measures Data include reductions from various sources, levels detected in fish tissue and other information on the amounts of mercury in Washington.

Mercury News Information on actions to reduce mercury and an archive of press releases