Title

"Cover Story" piece on mercury that is poisoning the environment. A state law p

Authors

Greg Williams

Source

Casco Bay Weekly

Date

3-22-2001

Pages

10-12, 1

Abstract

"Cover Story" piece on mercury that is poisoning the environment. A state law passed last year will ban the disposal of all mercury-added products by Jan. 1, 2005. But in the meantime, the city of Portland has no legal way to dispose of products containing the toxic metal. The state Legislature adopted a law last year that calls for the labeling of mercury-added products, except fluorescent bulbs, by Jan. 1, 2002, and a disposal ban on all mercury-added products, except for household items, by July 15, 2002. The exemption for homeowners ends Jan. 1, 2005, after which time they, too, will have to properly dispose of their thermometers, batteries and bulbs. In addition, the bill established a Mercury Products Advisory Committee, and required a report by the Department of Environmental Protection on mercury emissions and collection programs, which is due by Jan. 15, 2002. With references to Maine Energy Recovery Co., in Biddeford, and Penobscot Energy Recovery Co., in Orrington, which routinely remove metals and toxic materials from the waste they receive before incinerating it, thereby dramatically reducing the amount of mercury pollution they produce.

Subjects

Hazardous substances -- Disposal, Mercury

https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/cbw_2001/12/

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