Great Lakes States Seek Comment on Mercury Reduction Strategy

CHICAGO, Illinois, August 29, 2007 (ENS) - The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration has opened a 60 day public comment period for its Draft Great Lakes Mercury In Products Phase-Down Strategy.

In April 2006, the GLRC began development of a basin-wide strategy for the phase-down of mercury in products and waste.

The proposal calls for action in five product areas and five economic sectors through which consumers come into contact with mercury.

Actions in the consumer products areas include:

• Working with dental facilities to use best management practices for handling mercury waste and work to reduce or eliminate the use of mercury in fillings


• Banning the sale and installation of mercury-containing thermostats


• Banning the sale of mercury-containing thermometers to the public, including to public schools


• Banning the sale of mercury-containing switches, relays and measurement devices, establishing collection programs for existing products and banning the use of mercury-added products in classrooms for K-12 students


• Working for labeling and recycling of mercury-containing lamps, including car headlights and outdoor lighting.

• Ban the purchase and use of mercury-containing devices in school classrooms and health care areas


• Working to increase the removal of mercury-containing devices from scrap metal and vehicles prior to crushing or melting operations, including increasing participation in the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Removal Program


• Conducting outreach to heavy industry to promote mercury reduction projects


• Working with the health care industry to reduce mercury use


• Working to expand household hazardous waste and electronics collections to make this service available to more households.

A copy of the draft document was first distributed to government agency experts for technical review, then revised and distributed to a limited group of industry and environmental group stakeholders. The draft strategy is now available for public comment through October 27.

"We look forward to working with the various industries in Pennsylvania that deal with mercury so we can put together the best strategy to reduce the use of and exposure to this dangerous substance," said Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty today.

"We will review all of the comments we receive and we will use the expertise of the private sector to develop the best plan for the commonwealth to reduce mercury use," she said.

McGinty said Pennsylvania and other states may adopt the overall GLRC Strategy without agreeing to implement every recommendation.

"While working with our neighboring states will enhance the effectives of this strategy, we must craft a plan that will achieve the maximum mercury reduction while protecting our industries and the jobs they provide for our citizens in Pennsylvania," McGinty said.

The draft plan, Great Lakes Mercury in Products Phase-Down Strategy, is now available for public comment.

Comments may be submitted to Debra Jacobson, Illinois Waste Management & Research Center and Ilinois Department of Natural Resources, 1010 Jorie Blvd., Suite 12, Oakbrook, IL 60523, or djacobso@wmrc.uiuc.edu. Questions on the draft strategy may also be directed to Jacobson at 630-472-5019.

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