Mercury reduction efforts in Michigan

Mercury was first recorded in Michigan as an environmental contaminant in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Tons of mercury were being discharged directly into Michiganʹs waters resulting in extremely elevated methylmercury levels in fish. A Governorʹs Executive Order in 1970 made it illegal to fish in these contaminated waters and a halt was ordered to all mercury dischargers to these bodies of water. Today in Michigan, mercury contamination is not as extensive or evident as it was in the 1970s. The mercury released by sources has diminished, yet has not completely been eliminated. Mercury is still widely used in commerce and is forever ubiquitous in fossil fuels burned for energy. Michigan utilizes its base regulatory programs, which are supplemented greatly by voluntary pollution prevention efforts to reduce the use and release of mercury. The mercury pollution prevention efforts initiated in Michigan have resulted in the elimination of tons of mercury used, and ultimately released into the environment. While numerous mercury pollution prevention “success stories” can be told from a Michigan perspective, many more activities to reduce the use and release of mercury on a national and international basis are critical.