Walk, car pool or ride your bike when possible. The Pollution Prevention Unit has developed Pollution Prevention Tips For the Home which provides examples of things you can do to help prevent pollution. More projects will be posted on this website in the upcoming months. There is money available to help small businesses with pollution prevention. The DEC's Pollution Prevention Unit has a summary of pollution prevention grants with details and contact information for these programs.
Mercury bioaccumulates and persists in the environment.
Many products, such as fluorescent lamps, medical equipment, thermometers, and laboratory chemicals, contain mercury. It can enter the air, water, or land if these products are disposed of improperly. The DEC is researching and monitoring mercury contamination in fish and wildlife, developing prevention and control strategies, establishing outreach and awareness programs, and participating on interstate, regional, national, and internal programs related to mercury studies. The Comparative Risk Project is a way to compare different environmental problems so that we better understand which problems are posing the highest risks to people and the environment. Once we identify the problems that pose the highest risks, we will develop a strategy to reduce those risks.