[GreenYes] Re: does mercury recycling lead to more use in gold refining?

[Alan Muller <amuller@no.address>]

At 06:58 AM 2/21/2007 -0800, you wrote:
>At 06:48 AM 2/21/2007, Reindl, John wrote:
>>It should be again noted that a mercury flow model done last year 
>>for EPA shows that the amount of mercury going the environment each 
>>year in the US from products is three times the amount of mercury 
>>released to the air from coal-burning power plants. This is an area 
>>that we as recycling program managers can actively participate 
>>in.... by providing end-of-pipe clean-up programs, or by putting 
>>pressure on senior governments to ban/restrict use of mercury and 
>>require companies using mercury in their products to provide 
>>cradle-to-cradle care in all markets where their products are traded?
>
>Helen.

In Delaware, 3/4 of the mercury air emissions were coming from a 
mercury-cell "chlor-alkali plant--over 1000 pounds per year into the 
air.  We did get that shut down, but with no impressive level of 
cooperation from regulators.  There are around 8 of these monsters 
still operating around the country--with no need at all, as there are 
alternative technologies.

A key water source is mercury tooth fillings. (not to mention the 
direct personal exposure!)  This practice is fanatically defended by 
the American Dental Association and Federal public health 
authorities.  Thus, in Delaware and probably most other states, 
public health officials will install mercury in the mouths of 
low-income kids getting services at dental clinics.  If parents knew 
to ask, they would be told "no problem...."

Both the beginning of the pipe and the end of the pipe need lots of attention.

Alan



Alan Muller, Executive Director
Green Delaware
Box 69
Port Penn, DE 19731 USA
302.834.3466
cell 302.299.6783
greendel@no.address
www.greendel.org 
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