WASHINGTON (CN) - The Environmental Protection Agency plans to designate new uses of elemental mercury in flow meters, natural gas manometers, or pyrometers as "significant," which would require that manufacturers of such items notify the EPA at least 90 days before beginning to manufacture or process elemental mercury.
The proposed notification requirement would give the EPA the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit the use of elemental mercury. Currently mercury is not used in new flow meters, natural gas manometers or pyrometers but the agency fears manufacturers may reinitiate the use of elemental mercury in such devices and wants to regulate those manufacturers.
This proposed rule would not affect manufacturing and processing of elemental mercury for use for the listed measuring devices when they are in service as of the effective date of the final rule.
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