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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM WILL HOLD HEARING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 ON REGULATIONS GOVERNING REDUCTION OF MERCURY IN THE ENVIRONMENT PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will hold a public hearing on Thursday, December 12 on proposed rules and regulations governing the state's comprehensive mercury reduction law passed by the legislature last year.Mercury is found in numerous products in the home and workplace and exposure to mercury, such as through spills and releases, is toxic and can lead to health problems. The proposed regulations provide guidelines for achieving significant reductions in environmental mercury. They address a wide range of topics such as: manufacturer's notification regarding mercury content; gradual phase-out of mercury-added products; mercury labeling requirements; manufacturer's product collection plans; disclosure for mercury-added formulated products sold to healthcare facilities; and product disposal requirements. They also address specific product bans and sale restrictions that, under law, begin on January 1, 2003. On that date, no mercury-added novelty can be offered for final sale or use or distributed for promotional purposes in Rhode Island. Such mercury-added novelties include certain toys, games, decorations and apparel, including footwear. (The ban does not apply to novelties incorporating removable mercury-added button cell batteries if they are the only mercury-added components.) The proposed regulations were developed in conjunction with a mercury advisory working group comprised of industry representatives, local environmental and health organizations, state officials and legislative policy analysts. The proposed regulations can be found on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov by clicking on "Mercury" under "Topics." The public hearing will be held at 2 p.m. on December 12 in room 300 at DEM Headquarters in the Foundry Building at 235 Promenade Street in Providence. Written comments will be accepted through 4 p.m. Friday, December 20, and should be addressed to the attention of Elizabeth Stone at the above address or via email at estone@dem.state.ri.us. -30- |
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