Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program

2013 TRI National Analysis: Chemicals of Special Concern - Air Releases of Mercury and Mercury Compounds

Section 6: Chemicals of Special Concern

Air Releases of Mercury and Mercury Compounds

 

This figure shows that releases of mercury and mercury compounds to air have decreased by 15% from 2003. In the United States, coal-burning power plants are the largest source of mercury emissions to the air. Electric utilities, which include coal- and oil-fired power plants, accounted for 52% of the mercury and mercury compounds air emissions reported to TRI in 2013. This sector is also driving the decline in mercury air emissions, with a 47% reduction since 2003. Reasons for this decrease include a shift from coal to other fuel sources and installation of control technologies at coal-fired power plants. From 2012 to 2013, mercury air emissions increased by 15% (12,000 pounds), primarily driven by increased emissions from concrete manufacturing facilities, while mercury emissions at electric utilities remained constant.

This page was published in January 2015 and uses the 2013 TRI National Analysis dataset made public in TRI Explorer in October 2014.