MANAGEMENT OF MERCURY AND MERCURY CONTAINING WASTES IN PAKISTAN

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1 MANAGEMENT OF MERCURY AND MERCURY CONTAINING WASTES IN PAKISTAN PRESENTATION BY ENGINEER MUMTAZ HUSSAIN ENVIRONMENT CONSULTANT & EDITOR, THE ENVIRON MONITOR LAHORE, 30 JULY 2009

2 OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION BEHAVIOUR OF MERCURY IN ENVIRONMENT SOURCES OF MERCURY WASTES PAKISTAN S SCENARIO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF MERCURY WASTES RECOMMENDATIONS

3 BEHAVIOUR OF MERCURY IN ENVIRONMENT IT IS A PERSISTENT, MOBILE AND BIO- ACCUMULATIVE ELEMENT. IT IS RETAINED IN KINDEY, LIVER AND OTHER ORGANS OF LIVING ORGANISMS. IN ATMOSPHERE IT EXISTS IN FORMS OF GAS AND PARTICULATES. IN AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT IT TAKES SHAPE OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS LIKE METHYL MERCURY. IT REMAINS IN ENVIRONMENT BUT CHANGES ITS CHEMICAL FORMS

4 SOURCES OF MERCURY WASTES EXTRACTION AND USE OF FUELS/ENERGY SOURCES Coal combustion in large power plants Other coal combustion Extraction, refining and use of mineral oil Extraction, refining and use of natural gas Extraction and use of other fossil fuels Biomass fired power and heat production

5 SOURCES OF MERCURY WASTES PRIMARY (VIRGIN) METAL PRODUCTION Primary extraction and processing of mercury Metal (aluminum, copper, gold, lead, primary ferrous, other non-ferrous metals) extraction and initial processing PRODUCTION OF OTHER MINERALS AND MATERIALS WITH MERCURY IMPURITIES Cement production Pulp and paper production Lime production and light weight aggregate kilns

6 SOURCES OF MERCURY WASTES USE OF MERCURY IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESS Chlor-alkali production with mercury-technology Viny-chloride-monomer (VCM) production with mercury-dichloride (HgCl2) as catalyst Acetaldehyde production with mercury-sulphate (HgSO4) as catalyst Other production of chemicals and polymers with mercury compounds as catalysts

7 SOURCES OF MERCURY WASTES CONSUMER PRODUCTS WITH USE OF MERCURY Thermometers with mercury Electrical and electronic switches, contacts and relays with mercury Light sources with mercury Batteries containing mercury Biocides and pesticides Paints Pharmaceuticals for human and veterinary Uses

8 SOURCES OF MERCURY WASTES OTHER PRODUCT/PROCESS USES Dental mercury-amalgam fillings Manometers and gauges Laboratory chemicals and equipment Mercury metal use in religious rituals and folklore medicine

9 SOURCES OF MERCURY WASTES PRODUCTION OF RECYCLED METALS (SECONDARY METAL PRODUCTION) Production of recycled mercury (secondary production) Production of recycled ferrous metals (iron and steel)

10 SOURCES OF MERCURY WASTES WASTE INCINERATION Incineration of municipal/general waste Incineration of hazardous waste Incineration of medical waste Sewage sludge incineration

11 SOURCES OF MERCURY WASTES SOURCES OF MERCURY WASTES WASTE DEPOSITION/LANDFILLING AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT Controlled Landfills/deposits Diffuse Depositor Under Some Control Informal Local Disposal of Industrial Production Waste Informal Dumping of General Waste Wastewater System/treatment CREMATORIA AND CEMETERIES Crematoria Cemeteries

12 PAKISTAN S SCENARIO PERMISSIBLE LIMITS OF MERCURY Municipal and Liquid Industrial Effluents 0.01 mg/1 Industrial Gaseous Emissions 10 mg/nm 3 Solid Wastes PRESENT SYSTEM OF MERCURY WASTE MANAGEMENT Liquid Mercury Wastes Mercury In Gaseous Emissions Mercury In Solid Wastes

13 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF MERCURY WASTES Developing Inventory Of Mercury Containing Materials, Equipment And Wastes Conducting Environmental Surveys Reduction of Mercury Emissions Introduction of Alternatives Encouraging Recovery, Reuse And Recycling of Mercury Materials Enhancing Role of Environment Protection Agencies (Epas) For Management of Mercury

14 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF MERCURY WASTES Monitoring of Mercury and Other Heavy Metals International Cooperation Introduction of Mercury Free Products, Processes and Technologies Reduction In Mining of Mercury Mercury Free Health Care Faciliteis Mass Awareness Programmes

15 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF MERCURY WASTES DISPOSAL OPERATIONS Deposit into or on to land Mercury waste under uncontrolled waste mechanism Mercury waste mixed with other solid wastes Stabilized/solidified mercury waste Mercury contained in residue/ash of incineration Land treatment Deep injection Surface impoundment Temporary storage Long term storage of mercury waste

16 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF MERCURY WASTES TREATMENT METHODOLOGY General Steps Pre Treatment Roast Treatment Retort Treatment Additional Treatment Technologies Chemical Oxidation Chemical Leaching Ion Exchange Amalgamation Land Filling

17 RECOMMENDATIONS Enforce Provision of Basel Convention Formulate and Promulgate National Legislation Develop Mercury Relevant Neqs Establish National Mercury and Heavy Metals R&d Centers Minimize Generation of Mercury Wastes Apply Management Practices for Curbing Mercury Release Into Environment

18 T H A N K S