THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Mercury
Work Group Co-Chairs: Alexis Cain, U.S. EPA Robert Krauel, Environment Canada
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THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Canada’s Mercury Reduction Challenge and Progress
Canadian Challenge: “Achieve by 2000, a 90% reduction in the release of mercury, or where warranted the use of mercury, in the Great Lakes Basin” Baseline: 1988 Progress: Approximately 85% reduction of mercury releases in Ontario
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THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
U.S. Mercury Reduction Challenge and Progress
U.S. Challenge: “Achieve by 2006 a 50% reduction in use and air emissions of mercury nationwide” Baselines: Emissions: 1990 Use: 1995 Progress (best guess): Emissions: > 45% reduction Use: > 50% reduction
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THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Products / Devices
Thermostat Recycling Corporation recovered more than 80,000 thermostats in 2004 156 million fluorescent lamps collected through the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers. Electro-federation Canada reported that the average mercury content in lamps was reduced by 73.5% between 1990 and 2003
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THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Healthcare and Dental
Hospitals for Healthy Environment (H2E) enlists165 new partners Royal College of Dental Surgeons reports 99% compliance with Ontario regulation requiring installation of dental amalgam separators.
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THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Chlorine Institute
Eighth Annual Report – 88% capacity adjusted reduction in mercury consumption between 1995 and 2004
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THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Municipal Sector
Association Of Municipal Recycling Coordinators hosts workshop for 135 municipal participants on municipal actions to reduce mercury Canada-Ontario guidance document prepared and distributed to municipalities in Ontario
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THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Regulations and Standards
Clean Air Mercury Rule finalized by U.S. EPA Canada-Wide Standard for coal fired plants accepted in principle
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THE GREAT LAKES BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Next Steps
Completion of mercury management assessment Continued information sharing – cost effective reduction opportunities – e.g. metal scrap, dental Begin to focus more on ways to impact global releases Workgroup meeting – focus on quantifying sources including global emission sources
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