Chlor-Alkali Industry welcomes European legislation on mercury export ban and safe storage
Euro Chlor, the Brussels based federation representing the interests of the European Chlor-Alkali industry, welcomes the new European legislation on mercury ban and safe storage.
The adoption on September 25th, 2008, by the European Council of the legislation banning all exports of mercury from the European Union and to assure safe underground storage is a win-win situation for both the environment and Chlor-Alkali Industry.
After the export banning, taking effect in March 2011, surplus liquid mercury would be removed from decommissioned chlorine plants, transported to its final destination in approved sealed steel containers and stored in deep underground salt mines. These mines typically have no humidity, an environment which excludes corrosion and assures a sound, final disposal. The Commission will develop the specific technical criteria the locations will have to meet, as well as rigorous safety requirements to be observed at the sites. Chlor-Alkali Industry has extensive experience in the handling and storage of mercury and welcomes the adopted solution as an environmentally sound option which can be realised at an acceptable cost.
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