EPA 2026 Mercury Inventory: Mercury Compound Imports Down 99%, Mercury in U.S. Products Nearly Halved
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on November 6 published the 2026 Mercury Inventory Report on the supply, use, and trade of mercury in the United States. The report presents data for calendar year 2024 and helps the EPA, researchers, industry, and the public understand overall trends in mercury use, including where mercury still remains in commerce.
The headline figures show that the supply, use, and trade of mercury in the United States are declining overall: mercury used in products made in the United States fell 48 percent, mercury used in products sold in the United States fell 58 percent, the total amount reported for the manufacture of elemental mercury fell 56 percent, and imports of mercury compounds fell 99 percent.
The EPA notes that mercury is a persistent neurotoxin that does not break down in the environment and can cause serious health problems, which is why the agency tracks every remaining use. A small number of limited uses remain in certain manufacturing processes and in some components of electrical equipment, and the EPA says it continues to work to reduce and replace those uses as alternatives become available.
Data in the 2026 report will help the United States implement the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a global treaty that protects people and the environment from exposure to mercury. The report presents combined 2024 data submitted on imported mercury, mercury manufactured in the United States, imported and domestically made mercury-added products, and mercury used in manufacturing processes, and also provides a broad view of U.S. mercury stored, sold, and exported, as well as the industry sectors and trading partners involved.
For background, the EPA published its initial mercury inventory in March 2017 and a final rule on June 27, 2018, establishing reporting requirements to support triennial inventories under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), with data coming directly from companies that use, manufacture, or import mercury or mercury-added products. The 2020 report was the first inventory published after the rule was finalized, and the 2023 and 2026 reports continued its more extensive contextual reporting requirements. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国环保署总部威廉·杰斐逊·克林顿联邦大楼（华盛顿，固定图库）。Moreau1 摄，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: EPA headquarters, the William Jefferson Clinton Federal Building in Washington (file photo). By Moreau1, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
