Japan Urges Industries to Reduce Mercury Emissions Voluntarily

Japan is trying to further reduce releases of mercury into the environment more than 60 years after deadly mercury poisoning struck the city of Minamata and four years after the United Nations convention bearing the city’s name was signed.

The Japanese Ministry of the Environment issued a draft report March 31 that urges cement, steel and carbon black manufacturers, as well as waste management companies, morgues and other types of businesses, to take voluntary measures to reduce or prevent the release of mercury into the atmosphere.

The report urged businesses to establish voluntary control levels and standards on mercury release; ...