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

Industrial Sources of Mercury in the Atmosphere Jim Orgeron Staff Environmental Scientist, Environmental Planning Division. Mercury Deposition. Mercury emissions from man made and natural sources are released into the atmosphere

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

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  1. Industrial Sources of Mercury in the AtmosphereJim Orgeron Staff Environmental Scientist, Environmental Planning Division

  2. Mercury Deposition • 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

  3. EPA Air Deposition Monitoring • 1999-2000 time frame • Estimates 53% of Louisiana mercury emissions are deposited in Louisiana

  4. Mercury Air Rules Which Apply to Facilities in Louisiana • 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 • Federal rules (mercuryis 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

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

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

  7. Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air Emissions • 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

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

  9. Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air Emissions (cont.) • 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

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

  11. Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air Emissions (cont.) • 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

  12. 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)

  13. 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.

  14. Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air Emissions (cont.) • 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)

  15. 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.

  16. Conclusions • 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

  17. For more information regarding industrial sources of mercury in Louisiana please contact: Jim Orgeron james.orgeron@la.gov (225) 219-3578

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