Mercury Contamination from Metal Scrap Processing Facilities: A Study by Ohio EPA

• Autores: R. Sastry, J. Orlemann, P. J. Koval
• Localización: Environmental progress, ISSN 0278-4491, Vol. 21, Nº 4, 2002, págs. 231-236
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Mercury is a pollutant that causes great concern to regulators in the United States, especially to states that are located in the Great Lakes Region. Mercury is considered a significant environmental problem due to its ability to bioaccumulate in the aquatic food chain, where it may eventually affect human health. It is released into the atmosphere by natural, as well as anthropogenic, sources. Some of the anthropogenic sources include coal-fired utility plants and industrial processes. In Ohio, we have taken a proactive approach to identify some of the sources that emit mercury into the atmosphere. Routine emission testing in mid-1999 showed that metal scrap melting facilities could be fairly large sources of mercury emissions. Following this finding, Ohio EPA sent out a survey to all facilities that melt, or otherwise process, scrap metal to determine the possible extent of mercury emissions from these facilities. After analyzing the results of the survey, Ohio EPA has required certain facilities to conduct tests for mercury emissions. This paper outlines the methodology implemented to identify these possible sources of mercury emissions in Ohio.