Presentations May 23 – 25, 2005 Portland, Maine For related information visit:

An Approach to Consider in Evaluating Mercury Product Waste Disposal Trends Randy England and Michael Aucott, NJDEP, DSRT May 25, 2005

Examining our assumptions and success NJ Hg TF Recommendations Making Progress, not pursuing Model Leg as yet Targeting certain categories where we expect significant reductions /env impct Emission Regs Universal Waste Rule Heard earlier of NJ’s Automotive mercury removal April, 2005-Thermometer sale restrictions Brochure-outreach/education How to track effectiveness?

Batteries were ~ 90% of the total discards of mercury in products in the municipal solid waste stream (1989) EPA, 1992 Report 530-R , “Characterization of Products Containing Mercury in Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 1970 to 2000”…Franklin Associates, Ltd. NJ Dry Cell Battery Management Act ( 1992/1996 ) Mercury was phased out of certain types of batteries in conjunction with the "Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act," ( passed in 1996) What did we observe?

Other Factors 1996-MSWI Not at Full Capacity 1994-NJDEP Air Regulations (Separation/segregation & emission limits)

USGS: The Materials Flow of Mercury in the Economies of the United States and the World by John L. Sznopek 1 and Thomas G. Goonan 1 Open-File Report QSC/ECOS: Mercury Commodity Market Review-Economic Facts & Reasoning about the Global Mercury Commodity Market, including US Contributions

add 98 to 2004 ?

CONCLUSION Interesting, but inconclusive result Seems that mercury levels are decreasing For accurate tracking, need Total Metals over time (consistent procedures, etc) Stay Tuned

For Info: (609) (609)

Presentations May 23 – 25, 2005 Portland, Maine

PROPOSED MERCURY REDUCTION INDICATORS FOR NEWMOA STATES RICH PHILLIPS Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation

Indicator Development Process Individual NEWMOA state efforts Regional core mercury reduction indicators suggested by directors Regional workgroup proposal Directors considering indicator package Concept is an agreed upon core group and states provide data annually if available

PRODUCT COLLECTION/RECYCLING PROGRAMS Indicator – Pounds of Mercury Collected from: – AUTO SWITCHES – AMALGAM SEPARATORS – FLUORESCENT LAMPS – THERMOSTATS – THERMOMETERS – K-12 SCHOOLS

PRODUCT BANS/PHASE-OUTS Indicator – Amount of Mercury Reduced from: SALESBANS – STATE SALES BANS: MERCURY FEVER THERMOMETERS THERMOSTATS SWITCHES IN CARS SALES PHASE-OUTS: – STATE SALES PHASE-OUTS: According to amount of mercury in each phased-out product or product category Voluntary manufacturer efforts prompted by state laws

PRODUCT LABELING Indicator – Number of products or product categories with approved labeling plans in Vermont. – Number of manufacturers now labeling their products as reported through Vermont.

 Terri Goldberg(617) x302

Presentations May 23 – 25, 2005 Portland, Maine

Quicksilver Caucus Mercury Compendium Peggy Harris, P.E. CA Department of Toxic Substances Control

Purpose of QSC Hg Compendium Strengthen State Capacity to Reduce and Manage Hg Assess status of State activities Develop State action plan guidance Develop tool box for States 45 States have responded

Survey Contents Strategies and Outcome Measures Hg Sources and Monitoring Pollution Prevention, Recycling, Management & Cleanup Public Outreach & Hg Related Research Vehicle switches

Hg survey results Does your state quantify progress on reducing mercury pollution?

Most frequently used measures to quantify progress

Measure to best quantify progress on Hg pollution reduction Reduction in fish tissue concentration Emissions reductions Amount of Hg collected

Top 3 intrastate anthropogenic sources of Hg

Hg monitoring

Bans/limits on Hg- containing products

Public outreach on mercury reduction/progress Fact sheets Reports Press releases Hotlines/phone assistance Workshops

Quantify progress on Hg switch removal Number of switches collected Pounds of mercury collected Others Amt of Hg to # of vehicles processed Number and % of salvage yards and scrap processors participating

More Information Compendium currently being written Should be available later this summer For more information about the Quicksilver Caucus visit:

Presentations May 23 – 25, 2005 Portland, Maine

Implementing the Mercury Chemical Action Plan Measuring Success

Goals of the Mercury Chemical Action Plan  Virtual elimination (continual reductions) of the use and release of anthropogenic (man-made) mercury in Washington State  Minimize human exposure to mercury though better mercury collection, disposal, and management options

Elements of the Mercury Chemical Action Plan  Overview of what we know about human-caused sources of mercury in Washington  List possible mercury reduction options with recommendations  Identify research needs  Reduction actions will be staggered based on –Resources –Knowledge –Availability of non-mercury alternatives

Washington State’s Hg Releases  Ecology estimates about 3,800 to 5,000 pounds of mercury per year  Most releases are from small to medium businesses, schools, and households  Focused, incremental voluntary changes and small compliance activities a priority

Success Measures Resulting from MCAP Implementation and MERA 2005 to Compliance of Dental BMPs, Installation of amalgam separators – expected to reduce mercury releases released to POTWs or septic systems (50-60% reduction rate) lbs/yr 2. Collection of Hg switches on end-of-life vehicles to (90% reduction) 200 lbs/yr

Success Measures cont…. 3. Collection of elemental Hg (unused stocks) from schools, dental offices, thermometer collections etc. (70% reduction rate?) 200 lbs/yr 4. No mercury waste in “Red bags” to autoclaves 100 lbs/yr 5. Improved fluorescent light tube recycling – Recycling rate increased from 20% to 40% 250 lbs/yr

Success Measures cont… 6. Reduction of fluorescent lights disposed in solid waste incinerators ( % additional reduction) 60 lbs/yr 7. Reduction in mercury load going to sewage sludge incinerators 80 lbs/yr 8. Improvement in thermostat collection in Washington 20 lbs/yr ESTIMATED TOTAL 1,110-1,260 lbs/yr

Success Measures Dentists Work Required:  complete internal coordination between programs  clear, simple language for public, dentists  clear, quantifiable performance measures  (develop a “performance check list”?)  prepare potential compliance action checklist  complete commitments of MOU with WSDA  educate staff on ISO separators, proper use  WSDA to prepare education presentations  coordinate bulk mercury collection  provide selected Ecology TA visits  incorporate dentists into HW education fee?  prepare performance assessment report

Next Steps  Baseline data is being used to revise outreach and message  Contractor hired to conduct more aggressive education and survey response  Postcards reminding dentist to install separators and use BMPs in May  Proposed mercury collection event in July

Next Steps  Coordination with local governments, separator vendors and WSDA continues  New, final survey will be sent in July. Responses back by August 1, 2005  Analysis and report drafted in September  Recommendations for future work will be attached to cover letter sent to Ecology management

Additional Information Ecology’s PBT/Mercury Web Page: Dental Waste Web Page: Or contact Maria Victoria Peeler Ecology’s Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction Program P: E: