CHICAGO, May 8, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
study shows mercury releases from products declined between 1990 and 2005, but
remained at dangerous levels.
Alexis Cain, lead author of the study and an EPA environmental scientist in
Chicago, said mercury from products contributes nearly one-third of total U.S.
mercury emissions into the air.
While a number of products release mercury, the releases are difficult to
measure directly. Therefore, said Cain, there are considerable uncertainties
about the magnitude of the problem.
Cain used a method called substance flow analysis to develop improved estimates
of such releases.
Cain said mercury-containing products such as thermometers, switches, and even
cremations (from mercury contained in dental fillings) released mercury
throughout the product's life-cycle, including during production, use and
disposal.
Cain's study shows that during 2000, mercury releases from products accounted
for an estimated 32 percent of all mercury releases into air, 2 percent of
mercury releases to land and 4 percent of mercury releases into water.
But estimated releases into air and land from 1990 to 2005 caused by
mercury-containing products decreased an estimated 88 percent, with water
releases decreasing 83 percent.
The study appears in the Journal of Industrial Ecology.
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