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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, [email protected]
Herman Gibb, Lead Author, ORD Mercury Multi-Year Plan – 202-564-3334, [email protected]
Stan Durkee, Member, EPA’s Mercury Task Force – 202-564-6784, [email protected]