EPA’S MERCURYRESEARCH STRATEGY

MERCURY RESEARCH – STRATEGIC PLANNING

Research efforts guided by EPA’s Mercury Research Strategy published in 2000

Strategy goal: To provide information and

data that reduces scientific uncertainties limiting the Agency’s ability to assess and manage mercury and methylmercury risks

http://www.epa.gov/ ORD/NRMRL/mercury/

MERCURY RESEARCH AREAS

Risk Management Fate and Transport Human Health Effects and Exposure Ecological Effects and Exposure Risk Communication

RISK MANAGEMENT

Combustion Research Measure/monitor Hg

emissions from incinerators and coal fired utilities

Develop control technologies

Non-Combustion Research

Identify, quantify, and estimate uncertainties for non-combustion sources of mercury

FATE AND TRANSPORT

Transport Measure/monitor near-field and long range

transport

Transformation Identify processes and rates of mercury

transformations

Deposition Measure deposition rates and forms

Bioaccumulation Identify rates, routes, and trophic transfers

HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS AND EXPOSURE

EPA Reference Dose (RfD) of 0.1 ug/kg set in 2000 and supported by National Academy of Sciences study

Research efforts focus on reducing uncertainties in exposure profiles for sensitive populations

Identifying effects of mercury in combination with other persistent, bioaccumulative toxics such as PCBs on sensory and motor functions

Research focused on identifying mechanisms and rates for mercury uptake and accumulation

Initial focus on birds (raptors) Multi-year reproductive study on

methylmercury effects on American kestrel

Expanding efforts to other wildlife

ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND EXPOSURE

RISK COMMUNICATION

Research focused on how environmental risk (such as mercury consumption) is perceived and communicated differently from other risks

COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP

ORD’s research efforts coordinated with Program and Regional offices

OAR, OW, OSWER, OIA EPA research coordinated with other Federal

agencies NIEHS, DOE, USGS

Regional monitoring and assessment activities include emphasis on stakeholder involvement

EMAP USGCRP Regional Assessments ECOS? Others?

ORD CONTACTS Jeff Frithsen, Chairperson, ORD

Research Workgroup – 202-564-3323, frithsen.jeff@epa.gov

Herman Gibb, Lead Author, ORD Mercury Multi-Year Plan – 202-564-3334, gibb.herman@epa.gov

Stan Durkee, Member, EPA’s Mercury Task Force – 202-564-6784, durkee.stan@epa.gov