Mercury is a toxic chemical. If released to the environment it can cause serious ecological and health problems. Often it is found in our offices and homes. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children are the most sensitive to mercury poisoning. Potentially toxic mercury is found in a wide …
Read MoreDWQ has collected fish tissue samples for mercury analysis in waterbodies throughout the state since 2000. Since that time consumption advisories have been issued for 24 waterbodies (16 reservoir and 8 river sites). DWQ staff develop an annual fish sampling plan. Sampling criteria currently include: Sampling when a current consumption advisory is greater than 5 …
Read MoreThe Clean air Mercury Rule was signed on May 18, 2005. It targets coal-fired electrical generating units larger than 25 MW. It sets nation-wide caps: 38 tons/yr in 2010 (Phase I) and 15 tons/yr in 2018 (Phase II) and beyond (down from an estimated 48 tons in 1999.) Each state has been allocated a cap …
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know Mercury, a silver-colored liquid metal, is extremely toxic to the nervous system and may impair the way we see, hear, walk, and talk. When spilled, mercury can evaporate at room temperature and the vapors cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. In the environment, mercury can be converted into a form …
Read MoreJump to: Mercury in Products Frequently Asked Questions Sampling Data Additional Resources Contacts Advisories and Health Effects Mercury (Hg) is a naturally occurring metal found throughout the environment. It is a liquid at room temperature, combines easily with other metals and expands and contracts evenly with temperature changes. Because of these properties, mercury has been …
Read MoreCompact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are highly efficient. They use 75 percent less energy and on average last 7 to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. By requiring less energy, these bulbs reduce the amount of pollution from energy production, which includes the emission of mercury from coal combustion. Because these bulbs contain small …
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