Industrial Sources of Mercury in the Atmosphere Jim Orgeron Staff Environmental Scientist, Environmental Planning Division

Mercury emissions from man made and natural sources are released into the atmosphere Mercury can be transported locally, regionally and/or globally in the atmosphere A portion of the mercury eventually settles to the ground or is found in rainwater This deposited mercury enters water bodies Mercury Deposition

time frame Estimates 53% of Louisiana mercury emissions are deposited in Louisiana EPA Air Deposition Monitoring

Federal rules (mercury is a hazardous air pollutant) 40 CFR Parts 61 and 63 (MACT rules) Sets control requirements and work practices for major sources only A few compliance dates in the future Louisiana state rule (mercury is an air toxic air pollutant) LAC 33:III.Chapter 51 Sets control requirements and work practices for major sources only Compliance date 12/20/1996 Mercury Air Rules Which Apply to Facilities in Louisiana

No penalty for over-reporting Reporting thresholds apply Mercury/Mercury Compound Emissions 2003 TRI (lbs/yr)

Emissions data from TRI reports. The TRI mercury threshold was reduced to 10 pounds in All Louisiana Facilities Total Actual Mercury Emissions (lbs/yr)

Chloralkali Plants 2 Plants in Louisiana report 2125 pounds of Mercury to 2003 TRI (unverified) Both plants subject to federal MACT rule specifically targets mercury –Promulgated 12/19/2003 (68 FR 70904) –Compliance date—12/19/2006 –Estimated about 93% reduction  By product hydrogen streams  End box ventilation system vents  Mercury thermal recovery unit vents Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air Emissions

Louisiana Chloralkali Facility Total Actual Mercury Emissions (lbs/yr)

Coal Burning Electrical Utilities 6 Units in Louisiana reported 1434 pounds of mercury to 2003 TRI (unverified) All units will be subject to federal MACT rule specifically targets mercury –Proposed 1/30/2004 (69 FR 4652) and 3/16/2004 (69 FR 12398) –EPA proposed control program and cap and trade program –Compliance Dates—3 years after final rule or January 1, 2010 and 2018 –Estimated 29% or 69% at 2018 Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air Emissions (cont.)

Emissions data from TRI reports. The TRI mercury threshold was reduced to 10 pounds in Louisiana Electrical Utility Facility Total Actual Mercury Emissions (lbs/yr)

Electrical Arc Furnaces 1 Unit in Louisiana reported 451 pounds of mercury to 2003 TRI (unverified) –TRI submittal estimate based on new emission factor –Preliminary stack test results indicate emissions much lower (<20 pounds) Unit will be subject to federal MACT –Initially delisted 6/4/1996 –Rule for area (minor) sources will be proposed (EPA memo 11/18/2002) –No timing available –No control estimate available Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air Emissions (cont.)

Oil and Gas Facilities 11 facilities in Louisiana report 292 pounds of mercury to 2003 TRI (unverified) Petroleum refineries are subject to federal MACT (40 CFR Part 63 subparts CC and UUU) but the rules do not address mercury CC in effect—UUU in effect 3/11/2005 Major sources subject to provisions of state air toxics rule (LAC 33:III.Chapter 51) Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air Emissions (cont.)

Louisiana Oil and Gas Facility Total Actual Mercury Emissions (lbs/yr) Emissions data from TRI reports. The TRI mercury threshold was reduced to 10 pounds in 2000.

All other sources report 215 pounds of mercury to the 2003 TRI (unverified) Includes some pulp and paper mills and some chemical plants 40 CFR Part 63 applies to pulp and paper mills and many chemical plants Major sources subject to provisions of state air toxics rule (LAC 33:III.Chapter 51) Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air Emissions (cont.)

Louisiana All Other Facilities Total Actual Mercury Emissions (lbs/yr) Emissions data from TRI reports. The TRI mercury threshold was reduced to 10 pounds in 2000.

State and federal government have rules in place to reduce mercury emissions from industrial facilities into the atmosphere Federal government has more rules on the way TRI indicates mercury air emissions from Louisiana less than 2.5 tons per year with a slight increase from year to year Conclusions

For more information regarding industrial sources of mercury in Louisiana please contact: Jim Orgeron (225)