For the past several decades, Mercury (Hg), has received increasing attention as a serious pollutant of concern due to its toxic and bioaccumulative properties. In aquatic systems mercury is often converted by bacteria to methylmercury (the organic form of mercury) which can be magnified up the aquatic food chain hundreds of thousands of times, posing a potential risk to humans and wildlife that consume fish.
- ‘Merc Concern’ brochure on concerns about mercury impacts (pdf)
Pollution Prevention (P2) is the elimination and/or reduction in the generation of waste at its source where practicable, environmentally acceptable and economically feasible. Pollution prevention activities include design and process modifications, material input substitutions (alternatives), technology changes, best management practices, reuse and recycling.
Material input substitutions means using less toxic "environmentally friendly" substitutes or alternatives in compounds and devises. The digital electronic thermostat (pictured left) is a common P2 substitute for the older mercury-containing device (pictured right). This P2 practice is most suitable to mercury. In instances where no viable substitute exists, such as in fluorescent lamps, employing best management practices would be the preferred approach.
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