Mercury

Mercury is an environmental problem around the world. Minnesota and other states with many lakes are especially aware of this because one of the most serious ways people are exposed to mercury is through eating contaminated fish.

Some mercury is natural in the environment. Some comes from our intentional uses of mercury, and some is a polluting byproduct of burning coal and certain mining and manufacturing processes.

It is relatively easy to prevent mercury from some sources from entering the environment, but it may be very difficult to control mercury from other sources.

For example, we can purchase products with no mercury instead of similar products made with mercury, such as fever thermometers. On the other hand, the mercury in the emissions from burning coal or heating taconite pellets is difficult to capture and, even when captured, over time some of the captured mercury could escape to the environment.

The MPCA has undertaken many projects aimed at reducing mercury use and mercury contamination. On this page is general information about mercury, as well as updates on MPCA projects and initiatives. You are invited to send your comments, questions and suggestions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   at 651-757-2807.

Mercury Publications

Fact Sheets

• Developing a strategy for implementation of Minnesota's Statewide Mercury TMDL (wq-iw1-22)
• Reducing Mercury Emissions from Power Plants in Minnesota (p-p2s4-08)

Reports

• Estimated Mercury Emissions in Minnesota for 2005 to 2018 (wq-iw1-21)
• 2005 Mercury Reduction Progress Report to the Minnesota Legislature (lrp-mercury2005)
  • Appendix A: Mercury Emission Inventory for Minnesota
  • Appendix B
    • Alliant Energy Voluntary Mercury Reduction Agreement Progress Report
    • Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Voluntary Mercury Reduction Agreement
    • Minnesota Power Voluntary Mercury Reduction Agreement Progress Report
    • Otter Tail Power Company Voluntary Mercury Reduction Agreement Progress Report
    • Taconite Industry Combined Voluntary Mercury Reduction Agreement Progress Reports
    • Western Lake Superior Sanitary District Voluntary Mercury Reduction Agreement Progress Report
    • Xcel Energy Voluntary Mercury Reduction Agreement Progress Reports
  • Appendix C: Minnesota Strategies to Reduce Mercury Emissions
    
    
• Estimated Mercury Emissions in Minnesota for 1990, 1995, & 2000: March 2004 Update
  
  
• Mercury Emissions from Electricity Generation, 2002-2003 (Appendix to 2005 Air Quality Legislative Report) (lraq-1sy05-appa)
  
  
• Mercury Reduction Program - Progress Report to the Legislature, January 2002
  • Appendix A. Human Health Risk Summaries
  • Appendix B State Mercury Release Inventory, October 2001
  • Appendix C. Mercury-reduction Projects and Research
  • Appendix D. Evaluating Voluntary Agreements
  • Attachment 1 to Appendix D. NEAPOL Questionnaire (14 MG)
  • Attachment 2 to Appendix D. Voluntary Agreements (5 MG)
  • Attachment 3 to Appendix D. Progress Reports (3.9 MG)
  • Attachment 4 to Appendix D. Further Reading on Voluntary Agreements (120 K)
    
    
• Comments and Responses to Draft 2001 Mercury Reduction Program: Progress Report to the Legislature

Links to Related Sites

The following sites have information about environmental mercury and related issues.

• U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Mercury Report to Congress
• Minnesota Statutes
• MPCA Rules
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Lake Information
• NOAA Research "Seeking a Better Understanding of Atmospheric Mercury" (April 7, 2008)
• United Nations Mercury Programme
• Minnesota Department of Health Fish Consumption Advice