Transcript Overview of ORD Mercury Research

EPA’S MERCURY
RESEARCH STRATEGY
MERCURY RESEARCH –
STRATEGIC PLANNING
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Research efforts guided by
EPA’s Mercury Research
Strategy published in 2000
Strategy goal:
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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
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Risk Management
Fate and Transport
Human Health Effects and Exposure
Ecological Effects and Exposure
Risk Communication
RISK MANAGEMENT
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Combustion Research
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Measure/monitor Hg
emissions from incinerators
and coal fired utilities
Develop control
technologies
Non-Combustion Research
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Identify, quantify, and
estimate uncertainties for
non-combustion sources of
mercury
FATE AND TRANSPORT
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Transport
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Transformation
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Identify processes and rates of mercury transformations
Deposition
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Measure/monitor near-field and long range transport
Measure deposition rates and forms
Bioaccumulation
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Identify rates, routes, and trophic transfers
HUMAN HEALTH
EFFECTS AND EXPOSURE
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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
ECOLOGICAL
EFFECTS AND EXPOSURE
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Research focused on identifying
mechanisms and rates for mercury
uptake and accumulation
Initial focus on birds (raptors)
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Multi-year reproductive study on
methylmercury effects on
American kestrel
Expanding efforts to other
wildlife
RISK COMMUNICATION
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Research focused on how environmental
risk (such as mercury consumption) is
perceived and communicated differently
from other risks
COLLABORATION AND
PARTNERSHIP
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ORD’s research efforts coordinated with
Program and Regional offices
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EPA research coordinated with other Federal
agencies
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OAR, OW, OSWER, OIA
NIEHS, DOE, USGS
Regional monitoring and assessment activities
include emphasis on stakeholder involvement
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EMAP
USGCRP Regional Assessments
ECOS? Others?
ORD CONTACTS
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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]