EPA TRI Chemical
Mercury and Mercury Compounds
EPA TRI Category Code: N458
- Total releases
- 16.9M lbs
- Number of facilities
- 972
- Carcinogen
- No
- PBT substance
- Yes
According to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Mercury and Mercury Compounds (EPA TRI Category Code N458) is disclosed by 972 Form R facilities totaling 16.9M 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 and Mercury Compounds (EPA TRI Category Code N458) 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 NEVADA GOLD MINES LLC - GOLDSTRIKE MINES INC in NV at 5.2M 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.
LAND pathway mix
Mercury and Mercury Compounds: how the 16.9M lbs splits
16.9M lbs across all reported pathways
- Land Disposal14.9M lbs88.5%
- Off-site Transfers1.9M lbs11.0%
- Air Releases80.9K lbs0.5%
- Water Discharges4.8K lbs<0.1%
Mercury and Mercury Compounds's 16.9M lbs Form-R total is LAND, with land disposal making up 88.5% of the bar. Next segment: off-site transfers at 11.0%.
Trend & Where It's Reported
Between 2019 and 2023, cumulative annual Mercury and Mercury Compounds releases across all reporting facilities decreased by 41% (4.3M lbs → 2.5M lbs). Year-to-year swings reflect facility openings/closures and reporting changes as much as underlying activity.
Reporting for Mercury and Mercury Compounds is highly concentrated: Nevada accounts for 81.2% of the reported total (23 facilities). Next: Arkansas.
- Nevada 13.7M lbs
- Arkansas 872.9K lbs
- Alaska 625.3K lbs
- Alabama 536.3K lbs
- Utah 285.8K lbs
Reporting for Mercury and Mercury Compounds is highly concentrated by industry: Metal Mining facilities account for 85.8% of the reported total (42 facilities). Next: Hazardous Waste.
- Metal Mining 14.5M lbs
- Hazardous Waste 2.1M lbs
- Electric Utilities 105.4K lbs
- Chemicals 64.7K lbs
- Other 37.1K lbs
Which facilities release the most of this chemical?
Facilities with the largest reported releases of Mercury and Mercury Compounds. Up to 50 shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mercury and Mercury Compounds in the EPA TRI? ▼
How much Mercury and Mercury Compounds is disclosed in U.S. TRI filings? ▼
How does EPA TRI classify Mercury and Mercury Compounds? ▼
Which facilities disclose the most Mercury and Mercury Compounds? ▼
Why is Mercury and Mercury Compounds listed under code N458 instead of a CAS number? ▼
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.