• Current figure for appropriations has been reduced to approximately $100,000.
• Concern that if current legislation does not pass, $40,000 appropriation for manometer project will not be funded this year.
• Question as to whether funding for the manometer project could be independent from the bill passing.
• Authorization for any expenditure from the Solid Waste Management Fund would need to be mandated by legislation. Without the mercury legislation, there is no funding.
• Suggestion that the Committee send a letter to the Governor’s office and the Appropriations Committee expressing their recommendation to fund the completion of the manometer project.
• Suggestion that the Committee write an op-ed piece on the manometer issue.
• Question as to whether or not there was existing funding to continue the manometer project. It was understood that Department of Agriculture Food and Markets had no funding available at this time to allocate to this project and the funds would need to come from elsewhere.

1. Provide legislative testimony and information to the legislative committees on proposed mercury product legislation.

2. Conduct a review of environmental monitoring data, studies, and environmental research initiatives (state, regional and national) on all aspects of mercury contamination in air, soils, water, and biota to gain a better understanding of the health risks to Vermonters.

3. Revise the existing Vermont inventory of mercury sources that can be used for health risk evaluation and management. Review efforts by other states in these areas.

• Rich Phillips advised that the state’s Air Quality Division was working on a mercury emissions inventory for Vermont.

4. Review mercury education and reduction efforts of the Department of Health, Agency of Natural Resources, Solid Waste Districts and municipalities and provide recommendations for improving outreach, particularly to sensitive populations and on initiatives that will be most effective in reducing health risks from mercury exposure.

• Suggestion that this work item be separated into two categories – one that focuses on the exposure reduction and the other focusing on outreach efforts. Suggestion that second bullet item read in concept: "Review the most recent mercury exposure data to sensitive populations and populations that consume large quantities of fish to include the most effective initiatives to reduce the health risks from mercury exposure."
• Concern that there are limitations for reducing mercury in the environment but the exposure risk is a continuing concern and should be an area of concentrated focus.
• Suggestion to have an intern do a literature review on mercury exposure studies
• Concern that funding requirements to continue updating data for fish advisories and funding for exposure information and education programs should be met.
• Suggestion that the advisories are an environmental issue and the exposure is a health issue and the Health Department is currently working on health issues through various programs.
• Suggestion that the Health Department put together a synopsis of current programs for the Committee to review in order to update the report to the legislature.
• The Health Department may obtain their own intern and if so Michael Bender would be willing to work with that intern on compiling information.

5. Continue to stay abreast of dental amalgam waste management issues and the status of best management practice implementation by Vermont dental offices.

• Rich Phillips advised the Committee that a process was negotiated with the Vermont State Dental Society during the legislative development regarding the use of Best Management Practices (BMP) in dental offices. If the legislation does not pass, the Dental Association may still be willing to develop a procedure regarding amalgam use and disposal.
• Suggestion that the Committee continue to follow the progress of Vermont State Dental Society and make recommendations on Best Management Practices.
• The Vermont State Dental Society recently conducted a survey, which yielded a substantial response from the dental offices. They are currently compiling the results of this survey.
• Suggestion that Health Department develop a report on the status of the use of mercury dental amalgams.
• Suggestion to develop a procedure at the Agency level regarding dental amalgam use and disposal based on the information provided in the current BMP guide.
• Suggestion to request the Vermont State Dental Society to present to the Committee regarding their survey findings, discuss the issues of amalgam separators and the possibility of developing procedures through the Agency prior to legislation being passed.
• Suggestion to develop draft procedures by the end of the year.

6. Review the status of collection programs for discarded mercury products which keep mercury out of the environment and any enhancements that may be necessary in order to virtually eliminate environmental releases of mercury.

• The collection program section was originally included in the model legislation. It was determined during the review of the model that the Committee would re-evaluate the effectiveness of this section along with an assessment of programs developed by other states.
• The Agency will be following the progress of product stewardship in regard to mercury-added products through the Massachusetts Product Stewardship Institute.
• The Agency is currently receiving information from Solid Waste Districts regarding mercury collections to determine the success of various programs in Vermont.
• Suggestion to a establish a Committee consisting of Solid Waste District and Agency representatives to review collection programs.
• Suggestion to contact Barry Jordan with Global Superior Services and Ray Grasick with New England Lamp Recyclers to participate in this review.
• Suggestion that the review include programs from other states, current disposal programs and manufacturer collection programs.
• Ric Erdheim expressed an interest in participating with the evaluation committee if he could attend by telephone.

7. In order to assist Vermont hospitals and health care facilities in eliminating the release of mercury to the environment, review the status and availability of mercury content in formulated products used by health care facilities that is available from product manufacturers.

• Language pertaining to the certification requirement for mercury-containing products was removed from the bill that was introduced in the Senate.
• There is ongoing dialogue between the Agency and Vermont hospitals to provide the hospitals information on mercury-containing products, as it becomes available.

8. Evaluate the need for mercury emission limitations from solid waste incinerators as suggested in the Regional Mercury Action Plan and make any needed recommendations to the Legislature

• Suggestion to review previous legislative activities regarding emission limitations and include information and recommendations in the January 2002 report.
• David Dean has introduced House Bill 283 that establishes advance disposal fees.
• Elaine Alfono has introduced House Bill 240 that requires an update on fish advisories, notice in medical offices for sensitive populations, posting in retail stores that sell fish for consumption, posting in restaurants and a notice at every lake.
• Suggestion to change the wording on this work plan item to add a sentence to evaluate all pending legislation for recommendations in the Advisory Committee’s 2002 Report.

• The Committee was updated regarding additional members being appointed to the Committee. The Governor’s office may potentially have this information available prior to the Advisory Committee’s next meeting.
• The Committee worked on a timeline for progress in completing the work plan items as listed above. A draft of this timeline will be prepared by the Agency and reviewed by the Committee at its next meeting.