Mercury in the Environment: Sources and Health Risks

Publication Date: January 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Environment

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Abstract:

Concern about mercury in the environment has increased in recent years due to emerging evidence that exposure to low levels of mercury may harm the developing nervous systems of unborn children. At least nine bills in the 108th Congress aim to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired electric utilities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has proposed standards to control utility emissions. The various proposals differ in how much and how soon emission reduction would be required, and in whether reductions would be achieved through controls at each plant or through a nationwide cap and trade system. The latter approach could allow individual plants to continue emitting current levels of mercury, potentially worsening conditions at nearby "hot spots." Analysis of competing proposals raises questions about the sources, fate, and toxicity of mercury in the environment. This CRS report provides background information about mercury and summarizes recent scientific findings. For information about legislative and regulatory proposals to reduce environmental emissions of mercury, see CRS Report RL31881, Mercury Emissions to the Air: Regulatory and Legislative Proposals.