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

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 Introduction of Neon Products Introduction of Neon Products Mercury consumption of Neon tubes Mercury consumption of Neon tubes Reduction of Mercury consumption Reduction of Mercury consumption Outlook: Elimination of Mercury in Neon Tubes Outlook: Elimination of Mercury in Neon Tubes

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 Neon Products: A worldwide leader in Neon Technology High Tec Production Facilities in Germany and Brazil High Tec Production Facilities in Germany and Brazil Intensive R&D Spending Intensive R&D Spending Global Sales & Service Global Sales & Service

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 AACHEN, Germany WARBURG, Germany HvM do BRASIL Introduction of Neon Products

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 Electrodes Electrodes Phosphor and Pre-coated Tubes Phosphor and Pre-coated Tubes Pumping and Bombarding Equipment Pumping and Bombarding Equipment Electronic Power Supplies Electronic Power Supplies The Products

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 Mercury consumption of Neon tubes: tons / year worldwide by region by value added

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 Mercury consumption of Neon tubes in the US: Around 2 Tons / Year by type of Neon

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 Three ways to reduce mercury in Neon tubes Dosing Apparatus Dosing Apparatus Mercury Rocks Mercury Rocks HG+ Electrodes HG+ Electrodes

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 Mercury Rocks 5 mg Hg per Rock 5 mg Hg per Rock

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 HG+ Electrode 19 mg Hg +/- 1 mg per capsule Mercury Capsule RF-Generator

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 HG+: Breakthrough Technology

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 HG+: Summary of Benefits It works It works Reduces mercury consumption of Neon tubes by 80 – 90% = around 1.5 tons in the US Reduces mercury consumption of Neon tubes by 80 – 90% = around 1.5 tons in the US Eliminates mercury spills during production and transport Eliminates mercury spills during production and transport Speeds up productivity Speeds up productivity

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 Successful Market Introduction

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005 The Future: Xenon Discharge Lamps

Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste Conference May 2005

Presentations May 23 – 25, 2005 Portland, Maine

Robert Lago No Presentation available

Button Cell Battery Collection: Why it Makes Sense John James Maine DEP May 24, 2005 (207)

Declining Use of Mercury in U.S. Battery Production YearTons 19841,

Which batteries have mercury? Use of mercury in most consumer batteries is prohibited by state and federal law Use of mercury in most consumer batteries is prohibited by state and federal law Maine law at 38 MRSA §2165 [1993]Maine law at 38 MRSA §2165 [1993] 12 other states, including CA, CT, MN, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT12 other states, including CA, CT, MN, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT U. S. Mercury-Containing Battery Mgt Act, 42 USC § et seq. [1996]U. S. Mercury-Containing Battery Mgt Act, 42 USC § et seq. [1996] Two exceptions: Two exceptions: Mercuric oxide batteriesMercuric oxide batteries Button batteries with < 25 mgs of HgButton batteries with < 25 mgs of Hg

Mercuric oxide batteries The Hg serves as an electrode and accounts for 40% of the battery weight The Hg serves as an electrode and accounts for 40% of the battery weight Can be sold only if the manufacturer has a collection program Can be sold only if the manufacturer has a collection program Usage limited to applications demanding stable current and long service life, e.g., medical devices Usage limited to applications demanding stable current and long service life, e.g., medical devices Extent of usage unknown Extent of usage unknown Sale of mercuric oxide button batteries (formerly used in hearing aids) is banned Sale of mercuric oxide button batteries (formerly used in hearing aids) is banned

Button Batteries Three types of button battery use Hg Three types of button battery use Hg Zinc air (hearing aids)Zinc air (hearing aids) Silver oxide (watches, cameras)Silver oxide (watches, cameras) Alkaline manganese (toys, novelties)Alkaline manganese (toys, novelties) In each, the Hg coats the zinc anode to inhibit formation of hydrogen gas that could cause bulging In each, the Hg coats the zinc anode to inhibit formation of hydrogen gas that could cause bulging

Consumption of Mercury in Button Batteries Button battery sales contribute 5 tons of Hg to U.S. commerce each year Button battery sales contribute 5 tons of Hg to U.S. commerce each year Half = replacement batteries made by U.S companiesHalf = replacement batteries made by U.S companies Half = foreign-made batteries imported in a larger productHalf = foreign-made batteries imported in a larger product Zinc air batteries for hearing aids account for 85% of Hg in replacement batteries Zinc air batteries for hearing aids account for 85% of Hg in replacement batteries Most foreign-made batteries presumably are alkaline (toys) or silver oxide (cameras, watches and calculators) Most foreign-made batteries presumably are alkaline (toys) or silver oxide (cameras, watches and calculators)

Consumption of mercury in button batteries compared to other products

Here is why: Batteries may be the largest source of Hg emissions from municipal waste incineratorsBatteries may be the largest source of Hg emissions from municipal waste incinerators Hg use in button batteries is increasingHg use in button batteries is increasing Hg is bio-accumulative. All releases are problematic.Hg is bio-accumulative. All releases are problematic. Disposal of Hg-added batteries is contrary to the regional goal of virtually eliminating Hg emissions from human activityDisposal of Hg-added batteries is contrary to the regional goal of virtually eliminating Hg emissions from human activity Maine’s Bottom Line: as long as they contain Hg, it is not an environmentally sound practice to put button batteries in the trashMaine’s Bottom Line: as long as they contain Hg, it is not an environmentally sound practice to put button batteries in the trash Why bother with the “small” amount of mercury in button batteries?

Options for reducing Hg emissions from button batteries 1. Eliminate the Hg at the source by eliminating the need for mercury in button batteries 2. Collect spent Hg-added batteries for recycling

Hg-free versions of all 3 button batteries types that currently use mercury have been introduced to the marketplace Hg-free versions of all 3 button batteries types that currently use mercury have been introduced to the marketplace Possible barriers to deployment of Hg-free battery technology Possible barriers to deployment of Hg-free battery technology Production capacityProduction capacity Battery performance / user acceptanceBattery performance / user acceptance Current law “condones” sale of button batteries with < 25 mgs Hg and could be a disincentiveCurrent law “condones” sale of button batteries with < 25 mgs Hg and could be a disincentive Can the use of mercury in button batteries be eliminated?

Should button batteries be collected for recycling? Preferred strategy is to eliminate the use of Hg in button batteries Preferred strategy is to eliminate the use of Hg in button batteries If this cannot be done soon, spent batteries should be collected for recycling If this cannot be done soon, spent batteries should be collected for recycling Recycling is safe and affordable, costing less than 1¢ per battery Recycling is safe and affordable, costing less than 1¢ per battery Main challenge is achieving a high capture rate Main challenge is achieving a high capture rate

What about the fire and ingestion concerns ? Fire: NEMA contends battery collection poses an unacceptable fire hazard. Fire: NEMA contends battery collection poses an unacceptable fire hazard. Our review indicates this concern is overstated and conjectural. Ingestion. NEMA contends more kids will swallow batteries if they are collected for recycling. Ingestion. NEMA contends more kids will swallow batteries if they are collected for recycling. We observe that injury from button battery ingestion is exceedingly rare and has not prevented them from being placed in commerce, including in toys We observe that injury from button battery ingestion is exceedingly rare and has not prevented them from being placed in commerce, including in toys

Proposed legislative strategy for button batteries 1. Ban the sale of non-essential products (novelties) that have Hg-added button batteries effective January 1, Ban the sale of all Hg-added button batteries effective January 1, Interim report in 2008 to assess status of mercury-free battery technologies.

Summary of Maine DEP Position on Mercury-Added Button Batteries It is not an environmentally sound practice to dispose of mercury-added button batteries in the trash. The use of mercury in these batteries should be ended at the earliest opportunity. If this cannot be done soon, then Maine law should be amended to prohibit the disposal of these batteries, and provision should be made to collect the batteries for recycling. Manufacturers should be responsible for the costs of collection and recycling.

References / Resources Button Cell Battery Collection: Why It Does Not Make Sense, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (January 2003) Button Cell Battery Collection: Why It Does Not Make Sense, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (January 2003) Analysis of Battery Industry Sponsored Button Cell Collection Programs, Richard Tozer (December 2003) Analysis of Battery Industry Sponsored Button Cell Collection Programs, Richard Tozer (December 2003) An Investigation of Alternatives to Miniature Batteries Containing Mercury, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production (December 2004) An Investigation of Alternatives to Miniature Batteries Containing Mercury, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production (December 2004) Mercury Use in Button Batteries: A Report the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources, 122th Maine Legislature, Maine Department of Environmental Protection (March 2005) Mercury Use in Button Batteries: A Report the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources, 122th Maine Legislature, Maine Department of Environmental Protection (March 2005)