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MERCURY USAGE AND ALTERNATING IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES
Citation:
Sass, B., M. Salem, L. Smith, AND P. Randall. MERCURY USAGE AND ALTERNATING IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/R-94/047.
Description:
Many industries have already found alternatives for mercury or have greatly decreased mercury use. owever, the unique electromechanical and photoelectric properties of mercury and mercury compounds have made replacement of mercury difficult in some applications. his study was initiated to identify source reduction and recycling options for mercury in the electrical and electronics industry (SIC 36) and measurement and control instrument manufacture (SIC 382). he project identified trends in pollution prevention for mercury use throughout the U.S. economy by a review of the sources and use of mercury in the economy. egulatory trends encouraging mercury pollution prevention were examined, and current practices in the electrical and electronics industry were reviewed in detail to identify potential source reduction and reuse options for mercury. ndustrial and economic data suggest that the quantity of mercury used in electrical and electronic control and switching devices is significant. pportunities have been identified to replace mercury-containing devices. or applications where mercury cannot be avoided, recycling, mainly by vacuum retorting, is commercially available.