EPA TRI Chemical
Mercury
CAS Number: 7439-97-6
- Total releases
- 469.9K lbs
- Number of facilities
- 539
- Carcinogen
- No
- PBT substance
- Yes
According to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Mercury (CAS 7439-97-6) is disclosed by 539 Form R facilities totaling 469.9K lbs of reported releases. It is also listed as a persistent bioaccumulative toxicant (PBT) in the TRI extract. TRI pounds are self-reported disclosure totals, not a measured public-health risk score.
Mercury (CAS 7439-97-6) is a chemical tracked by the EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The TRI requires industrial facilities above specified threshold quantities to disclose annual manufacturing, processing, and otherwise-used volumes, along with quantities released to air, water, land, and off-site transfers.
A carcinogen flag, when present on other chemicals in this database, reflects an assessment from EPA, IARC, or the National Toxicology Program rather than a TRI-specific determination. The PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic) status above carries a lower TRI reporting threshold than most listed chemicals, reflecting elevated regulatory concern about long-term environmental buildup. The largest individual disclosure in the current dataset comes from BETHLEHEM APPARATUS CO INC in PA at 199.3K lbs.
TRI volumes are self-reported estimates, not measured stack emissions, and each pound counts equally regardless of chemical toxicity, so total pounds should not be equated with total risk. Inclusion of a chemical or facility in the TRI does not itself establish a health hazard; it documents the public right-to-know record. Consult EPA's IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for health-effect summaries.
MIXED pathway mix
Mercury: how the 469.9K lbs splits
469.9K lbs across all reported pathways
- Off-site Transfers258.5K lbs55.0%
- Land Disposal189.0K lbs40.2%
- Air Releases21.4K lbs4.6%
- Water Discharges930 lbs0.2%
Mercury's 469.9K lbs Form-R total is MIXED, with off-site transfers making up 55.0% of the bar. Next segment: land disposal at 40.2%.
Trend & Where It's Reported
Between 2019 and 2023, cumulative annual Mercury releases across all reporting facilities decreased by 23% (139.8K lbs → 107.0K lbs). Year-to-year swings reflect facility openings/closures and reporting changes as much as underlying activity.
Reporting for Mercury is concentrated: Pennsylvania accounts for 28.4% of the reported total (21 facilities). Next: California.
- Pennsylvania 133.5K lbs
- California 113.4K lbs
- Texas 45.1K lbs
- Louisiana 21.7K lbs
- Ohio 20.8K lbs
Reporting for Mercury is concentrated by industry: Hazardous Waste facilities account for 42.1% of the reported total (49 facilities). Next: Chemicals.
- Hazardous Waste 198.0K lbs
- Chemicals 154.3K lbs
- Coal Mining 32.8K lbs
- Primary Metals 20.0K lbs
- Metal Mining 16.9K lbs
Which facilities release the most of this chemical?
Facilities with the largest reported releases of Mercury. Up to 50 shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mercury in the EPA TRI? ▼
How much Mercury is disclosed in U.S. TRI filings? ▼
How does EPA TRI classify Mercury? ▼
Which facilities disclose the most Mercury? ▼
What is the CAS number for Mercury? ▼
Health Information
Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxicant (PBT): This chemical is classified as a PBT by the EPA. PBT chemicals are toxic, persist in the environment, and bioaccumulate in food chains. Because of these properties, even relatively small releases can pose a significant threat to human health and the environment over time.
Data comes from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program. Release quantities are self-reported by facilities and may represent estimates. The total shown aggregates reports across all facilities and reporting years.
PlainEnviro presents this data without advocacy framing. The presence of a chemical in the TRI database does not by itself indicate a health risk at current exposure levels. For health-related questions about specific chemical exposures, consult your local health agency or a toxicologist.
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.