Sources and Control of Anthropogenic Mercury
Mercury contamination is present in lakes and streams throughout Utah. Sources of mercury include natural deposition, re-emissions, and anthropogenic (new) deposition. The source of new Mercury to lakes and streams is typically from atmospheric deposition. Currently in the United States, utility coal boilers are the largest source of mercury emissions to the atmosphere, followed by Portland cement plants and industrial boilers and heaters. The EPA has been working feverishly on developing regulations to require additional controls on these sources of Mercury.
This presentation will discuss the status and effectiveness of the regulations that EPA has developed under the CAA to better control these sources of mercury. This presentation will also discuss state-wide sources that emit mercury, and identify the status of air pollution control at these facilities. This presentation will also show inventory data for mercury emissions from Utah sources.
Finally, this presentation will touch on the status of the Utah Mercury Workgroup, including their current areas of focus and findings, and their interactions with other regulatory agencies. The results of recent environmental sampling for mercury in fish will also be presented.
Relevant documents regarding EPA rulemaking for control of mercury can be found on the following web page: http://www.epa.gov/mercury/regs.htm#caa
Relevant documents regarding the Utah Mercury Workgroup can be found on the following web page: http://www.deq.utah.gov/Issues/Mercury/workgroup.htm