Mercury Programme

Mercury Programme Goal: To protect human and ecosystem health by reducing and/or eliminating the use and release of mercury from human sources to the environment.

The release of mercury into the environment is harmful to both human and ecosystem health. Mercury bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains, to the point that consumption of fish can be hazardous to birds, mammals and humans. The comprehensive phase-out of mercury use and its release is important because mercury persists in the environment for a long time. 

Since 1996 Pollution Probe has been a national leader in actions and policies aimed at fighting mercury pollution in Canada and North America. Pollution Probe has developed a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to achieving this goal, through advocating the elimination and reduction of mercury use and release, and setting the stage for corporate mercury reductions. Based on our experience working with industry and government to achieve significant changes in mercury use in Ontario, we have developed a high level of leadership and credibility internationally.

Pollution Probe’s mercury work is divided into two main activities: the direct mercury reduction activities of the Mercury Elimination and Reduction Challenge(MERC) and our Mercury Policy work.

Pollution Probe's Mercury Programme Project Manager for MERC is Leah Hagreen.