However, problems may occur if the mercury in a product is exposed to air, or if a product is not properly discarded so as to keep mercury out of the environment. Mercury Pollution Prevention Concerns about the health impacts of mercury are leading to mercury pollution prevention programs at the federal, state and local levels. The highest priority of any pollution prevention program is source reduction, which means not using mercury in the first place. For example, some states have banned the deliberate use of mercury in certain products for which alternatives are available. When adequate mercury alternatives are not available and mercury must be used, it may be possible to recycle it.
Recycling is the second priority of mercury pollution prevention.
Disposal of mercury should be the last resort. It is expensive and increases the potential of mercury being dispersed into the environment. Pollution prevention programs are driven by voluntary efforts and by increasingly strict federal and state regulations. Some of the regulations govern occupational exposures and waste disposal. Other regulations result from the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.