water quality
Mercury
Mercury-Related Legislation
There are a number of federal and state regulations concerning mercury in the environment. These regulations address mercury in air, water, and waste.
Federal Legislation
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) – requires waste material that exhibits the characteristic of toxicity for mercury to be managed as hazardous waste. Discarded commercial chemical products containing mercury must be managed as hazardous waste.
Federal Universal Waste Rule – amendment to RCRA designed to reduce the amount of hazardous waste items in the solid waste stream, encouraging recycling and proper disposal. With regard to mercury, includes thermostats, and some lamps.
Clean Air Act – contains national emission standards for mercury for a limited number of specific stationary sources that process or use mercury-containing substances and that emit mercury to the air. Additionally, requires municipal waste combustors and medical waste incinerators to limit their mercury emission.
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to Know Act (EPCRA) – requires that facilities that manufacture, process or otherwise use mercury or mercury compounds in excess of 10 pounds during a calendar year to report to EPA the quantities released and transferred.
Clean Water Act – requires that any discharge to surface water cannot negatively impact the water quality standards established.
Safe Drinking Water Act – require a public water system to provide drinking water with a maximum contaminant level of 2 micrograms per liter for mercury.
State Legislation
Connecticut
Connecticut Mercury Reduction and Education Program
Maine
Legislation and Rules
An Act to Address the Health Effects of Mercury Fillings
An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Department of Environmental Protection on Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Mercury
An Act to Phase out the Availability of Mercury-Added Products
An Act to Prevent Mercury Emissions when Recycling and Disposing of Motor Vehicles
Statute: Mercury-added Products
Interim Effluent Limitations and Controls for the Discharge of Mercury
Labeling of Mercury-added Products
Massachusetts
Final Mercury Regulations for Power Plants
Department of Environmental Protection Waste Combustor Rule and Amendments
New Hampshire
Restrictions on Battery Sales and Disposal
Toxics Reduction in Consumer Packaging
NH Water Quality Rules
NH Groundwater Protection Rules
NH Surface Water Rules
NH Hazardous Waste Rules
NH Air Toxics Rules
Septage and Sludge Disposal Rules
Municipal Waste Combustor Rules
New York
State Air Toxics Program
Management of Mercury—Added Consumer Products
Regulations pertaining to incinerators
Hazardous Waste Management Regulations
Solid Waste Regulations
Water Regulations
Technical and Operational Guidance
Rhode Island
Mercury Reduction and Education Act
Rules and Regulations Governing the Administration and Enforcement of the Rhode Island Mercury Education and Reduction Act
Vermont
www.mercvt.org/regs/index.htm
Landfill Disposal Requirements
Mercury-added Consumer Products
Advisory Committee on Mercury Pollution
Mercury-added Consumer Products
Pending legislation: Comprehensive Management of Human Exposure to Mercury
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