Abstract
In Chapter 3, Section 11, we presented some comparatively technical considerations relevant for possible future policies. We also reiterate that chlor-alkali production, wiring and switches, measuring devices, lighting (fluorescent bulbs) and dentistry are the most important actual applications of mercury, together with a variety of other uses of lesser importance.
Mercury is one of the most toxic pollutants. No other metal is as poisonous to microorganisms as mercury. The burden of mercury on our environment must not increase; it must be reduced. Every addition is undesirable. We must reverse the trend even now in order to create a healthy environment for future generations. This strategy means that our present generation accepts responsibility for the pollution of the environment unwittingly caused by previous generations. (Swedish EPA, 1987).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Dubsky, K., (2001), personal communication with M. Scoullos
EPA, 1997a EPA, 1989. The Toxics-Release Inventory: A national Perspective. Washington, D.C. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, June 1989, EPA 560/4-89-005.
EuroChlor, 1997a. Mercury Process for Making Chlorine; EuroChlor Publication.
EuroChlor, 1997b. BAT
EuroChlor, 1997b. Mercury Process for Making Chlorine; EuroChlor Publication.
EuroChlor, 1998. No quick solution to restoring public confidence in chemicals. Press release 7 September 1998.
Scoullos, M. (2001), G. Vonkeman, I. Thornton and Z. Makuch. EUPHEMET-Towards an integrated EU policy for heavy Metals. Report to the EC, DG Research, under Contract NO.ENV4-CT97-0614.
Swedish EPA, 1997. Terminal Storage of Mercury-an important step on the road to a sustainable society. (English Summary). Naturvardsverket, Stockholm, ISBN 91-620-9856-x.
Sznopek, J.L. and T.B. Goonan (2000). The Materials Flow of Mercury in the Economies of the United States and the World. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1197.
WWF, 1994. The right to know — The Promise of Low-Cost Public Inventories of Toxic Chemicals. World Wildlife Fund, Washington DC.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Scoullos, M.J., Vonkeman, G.H., Thornton, I., Makuch, Z. (2001). Policy options for mercury. In: Scoullos, M.J. (eds) Mercury — Cadmium — Lead Handbook for Sustainable Heavy Metals Policy and Regulation. Environment & Policy, vol 31. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0403-9_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0403-9_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-3896-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-010-0403-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive