Chlorine plants in the U.S. pollute the air with hundreds of pounds of mercury each year, but a new report by the nonprofit Oceana finds that its would actually be cheaper for them to start using mercury-free methods. The report looked at 115 plants in the U.S. that are already using the cleaner technology, which is used in 90 percent of U.S. chlorine production, and found that conversion would pay for itself within five years by saving over $100 million in energy costs, while eliminating 4,400 pounds of mercury emissions from the five plants that still use the old technology.
Source: Chlorine Plants Could Save Money By Helping The Environment. The Daily Green, July 24. Photo from Oceana.
Eve is a freelance writer and editor based in Vancouver, BC. She has worked for High Country News, Conservation magazine, Environmental Practice, Island Press, and several political clients. She has a Master's degree in Environmen...
