HENNEPIN COUNTY'S MERCURY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

摘要

Mercury is an element that occurs naturally in the environment at very low concentrations. Humans have begun to use mercury extensively in a variety of consumer products or in manufacturing process over the past two hundred years. The use of mercury has resulted in increased global mercury levels and bioaccumulation in fish. Mercury is a potent human neurotoxin and consumption of fish containing mercury on a regular basis is a potential health problem. Many states have issued fish consumption advisories recommending that people limit their consumption of fish. To minimize mercury emissions into the environment, Hennepin County has begun a multifaceted program to manage the use and disposal of mercury bearing consumer products and minimize emissions from an MSW combustor. This paper discusses the County's mercury management activities and the opportunities for federal, state, and local governments to put into place similar programs to minimize the release of mercury into the environment.