EPA to Probe Missing Mercury (65 tons)

EPA to Probe Missing Mercury
Plants Unable to Account for Tons of Annual Purchases
By Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 30, 2004; Page A14


Under prodding from environmental groups, the Environmental Protection Agency is taking another look at a handful of U.S. chemical plants that cannot account for as much as 65 tons of mercury they may be releasing into the environment each year.



The nine chlorine manufacturers that utilize techniques dating to the 1950s have denied they release enough of the toxic substance to endanger public health. But some environmental groups and lawmakers contend the plants may be posing a more serious health threat than the nation's 11,000 coal-fired power plants that together emit 48 tons of mercury every year.

"There's been a tremendous amount of attention on power plants," said Linda Greer, a senior scientist with the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). "But there's this sneaky other source that may be as big, if not bigger, that EPA hasn't regulated well at all."

Last December, the EPA issued a new rule to regulate the chemical industry's handling of mercury, but it conceded that the government and industry cannot account for 65 tons of the toxic substance that may be escaping into the environment annually.

Jeffrey Holmstead, an assistant EPA administrator in charge of air policy, confirmed this week that his agency would undertake the review. "Our engineers said we are quite confident that mercury is not going into the air," he said. "Exactly where it's going, we don't know. There's been enough concern about this, we want to go back and see where it's going."

~snip~
more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1485-2004May29.html

criminal scum

the US knew they were there, just can't find them.

4 more years of poisoning our planet... :(

the state of the american mind these days -- falling hook line and sinker that whatever -- business is on their side even if they poison their children.

:shrug:

This is probably the butt of many a running joke.

Last night I had a dream that I had this great big oversize thermometer, but it was broken and all the mercury was spilling and I was running around with it trying to figure out how to dispose of it properly, and trying to catch the mercury with the other hand.
And then this morning, there's this story.

Last night I had a dream that a HAMBURGER was eating ME!

They just found 55 gallon drums of toxins a few months ago when they were going to build a soccer field.

I forgot if it was Mercury or not though.

"may be escaping into the environment annually"

Of course it "may be escaping into the environment. Then again it could be on Mars.

Where do these dumb$hits think it went?

Nah, I'm sure it's simply a clerical error.

It sure seems big business has been polluting more and getting away with it under the 42nd a$$hole putz *.

Looks like the EPA's new rule regulating mercury isn't a great success.