Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
table 16.2
Summary of Mercury Emission Reductions in New
England and Eastern Canada (metric tons/yr)
were set at levels much more stringent than the federal U.S.
or Canadian requirements in effect at the time. For example,
the MAP established a mercury emission value for munici-
pal solid-waste combustors at 0.028 mg mercury/dry stan-
dard cubic meter (mg/dscm), about threefold more stringent
than the EPA's limit of 0.080 mg/dscm. The MAP emission
value for medical-waste incinerators was set 10 times lower
than the EPA's value. For other sources, the MAP directed
the jurisdictions to achieve maximum feasible reduc-
tions. Commitments to reduce unnecessary mercury use
in products, increase the recycling of end-of-life mercury-
added products, implement outreach and education pro-
grams to inform the public about mercury risks, and support
environmental monitoring and research efforts were also
endorsed. Lastly, the MAP specifi cally called for the contin-
ued safe storage and ultimate retirement of the U.S. strate-
gic stockpile of over 5000 tons of elemental mercury rather
than its sale into the international commodities market.
Eastern
Canadian
provinces
New
England
Percent
reduction
Context
Total
1998 baseline
7.10
2.74
9.82
55%
2003 estimate
2.85
1.55
4.40
NOTE
: Values based on emission estimates reported by the
jurisdictions. Emission categories included municipal solid-waste
incinerators, medical-waste incinerators, chlor-alkali plants,
commercial and industrial boilers, electricity-generating units,
residential boilers, wood-burning facilities, and area sources. The 2003
emission estimates focused on sources where regulatory or other actions
to reduce mercury emissions were implemented since the 1998 Mercury
Action Plan was adopted. Emission estimates for some categories were
not updated, including area source emissions due to a lack of new data,
and industrial, commercial and residential boilers, as no activity
directed at addressing emissions from these sources occurred.
Basis of the Mercury Action Plan
The NEG-ECP MAP was established on the principles that
environmental policies addressing mercury should be based
on sound science; take a precautionary approach where sci-
entifi c uncertainties exist; adopt comprehensive, multime-
dia, lead-by-example policies; include concrete goals with
measurable milestones and timelines; provide implementa-
tion fl exibility to the jurisdictions; and include mechanisms
for coordination, oversight, accountability and reporting.
The 1998 Northeast States and Eastern Canadian Provinces
Mercury Study: A Framework for Action (NESCAUM, 1998b)
summarized the state of the science regarding mercury
in the region and was the primary technical basis for the
NEG-ECP MAP. This assessment summarized data on
regional mercury emissions by category, ranking source
estimates by their degree of uncertainty, and on mercury
impacts in the region, based on deposition modeling and
monitoring data and information on mercury levels in fi sh
and other biota. This assessment and other reports helped to
capture the attention of state policy leaders in the northeast
and drive action (USEPA 1997a; NESCAUM, 1998b; MassDEP,
1996; UNEP, 2003; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry, [ATSDR]. 1999).
Although data indicated that wildlife resources in the
region were at risk, the substantial body of science indicating
that mercury can impair neurologic development in the fetus
was the primary risk concern (National Research Council,
2000). The extensive data demonstrating that mercury lev-
els exceeded public health guidelines in freshwater fi sh from
lakes and ponds across the region, even in remote areas with
no nearby sources, was also important to policy leaders, as
were modeling and monitoring results indicating that the
mercury entering the region's water bodies was attributable
to atmospheric deposition from sources located both within
and outside the area (MassDEP, 1996; NESCAUM, 1998b). The
widespread nature of the problem and its sources argued for
a regional approach. The identifi cation of major sources of
mercury releases within the region highlighted opportunities
for action that could result in signifi cant local benefi ts. The
contribution from out-of-region sources supported a clean-
hands, lead-by-example approach in order to support regional
advocacy for stronger national and international efforts.
Progress as of 2008
EMISSION REDUCTIONS
Substantial reductions in emissions from most major point
sources in the region were achieved under the MAP. Over-
all, as compared with baseline emissions in the mid-1990s,
the region achieved approximately a 55% reduction in
emissions from the source categories included in the base-
line inventory by 2003, exceeding the 50% reduction
target (Table 16.2) (NESCAUM, 1998b). Overall emission
reductions in the New England states are now estimated
to exceed 70% (NESCAUM, 2005, 2007). In Massachusetts,
overall mercury emissions were recently documented to
have been reduced by approximately 91% since the mid
1990's, with the largest reductions being achieved from
municipal solid waste combustors, medical waste incinera-
tors and coal-fi red power plants (NESCAUM, 2011).
These reductions were achieved by addressing major
in-region point emission source categories. Based on stack
test data, regional emissions from municipal solid-waste
combustors were reduced by 2004 by about 85% through
new air-pollution controls and reduced inputs of mercury
in solid waste (e.g., MassDEP, 1998). Medical waste incin-
erator emissions were reduced by more than 95%, in large
part because many facilities ceased operation in response
to the more stringent mercury emission limit as well as a
stringent EPA limit on dioxin emissions. Emissions from
