News Releases - 2002

Illinois EPA Initiates Mercury Collections and Educational Programs

Springfield, Ill. -- Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano has announced a statewide campaign to educate the public about the hazards of mercury and to reduce it in schools, homes and the environment.

"We are focusing on removing mercury and other hazardous chemicals from schools, and reducing the risk to children. These collections are just the first step in the Illinois EPA's overall initiative to remove known toxic substances from our communities," said Director Cipriano.

With the initial focus being protecting children from mercury, the Illinois EPA plans to collect and remove mercury and other hazardous chemicals from schools across the state. The first in a statewide a series of these collections will be held at the ASPEN school in Robbins, on November 26. In each of these collections, the school submits an inventory of educational chemicals, including mercury, to the Illinois EPA. An Illinois EPA contractor reviews the inventories and determines the safest and most appropriate method of removal., The contractor then comes to the school, packs the chemicals for safe transport and removes them for appropriate disposal or recycling.

While mercury has historically performed many useful functions in our homes and workplaces, it is a toxic substance that can impair the way we see, hear and function. And today, there are many safer alternatives to mercury-containing products.

If spilled or improperly stored, mercury can evaporate and contaminate the air we breathe. Mercury poisoning attacks the central nervous system in all humans, with children under six especially susceptible.

Once in the environment, a form of mercury - methyl mercury - can accumulate in the tissues of fish and other organisms, creating a risk for human consumption of fish. This highly toxic substance can affect the brain, liver and kidneys and can cause developmental disorders. The best way to prevent this is to remove as much mercury as possible from the environment.

Illinois EPA is working to reduce mercury in our land, air and water. Our Bureau of Water initiated pilot program this summer to evaluate our ability to accurately assess low levels of mercury in effluents. Final results of the samples collected are expected very soon.

The Illinois EPA's Bureau of Air is instituting modeling to further characterize the contribution of various air pollution sources to atmospheric levels of mercury.