Mercury & compounds: Sources of emissions
Industry sources
Fossil fuel power plants emit to air, precious metal mining operations may emit to water or land, metal smelters may emit to air, cement manufacture may emit to air. Municipal landfills, sewage, metal refining, and chemical manufacturing are also significant potential emitters of mercury to land and water.
Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data
Burning of fossil fuels (home heating oil, petrol) emits to air, disposal of batteries, thermometers and other mercury containing products may emit to land, and photographic processing facilities may emit mercury to water.
Natural sources
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in rocks and ores. Mercury is released into the atmosphere by evaporating from soils, from volcanic activity, and from burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, petrol, asphalt, etc.).
Transport sources
The combustion of petrol releases small amounts of mercury to air.
Consumer products
Batteries, thermometers, barometers, thermostats, and mercury lights are some of the consumer products that contain mercury. Photographic toners contain mercuric chloride.
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