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Olin: Go Mercury Free

Olin operates two chlor-alkali plants that still use antiquated mercury-cell technology while no other company owns more than one. Despite the fact that ninety percent of American chlorine is made without mercury, Olin has not announced any plans to switch to cleaner, mercury-free technology.

Augusta, GA facility

Olin reported emitting 579 pounds of mercury to the air at its Augusta plant in 2006, making it the third largest source of mercury air pollution in Georgia.

Olin's Augusta plant is the second largest source of mercury water pollution in the state and the largest direct source of mercury discharge into the Savannah River.

In the spring of 2006, Lauren Smith, a high school junior, tested sediment in the canal leading from Olin's plant to the Savannah River. She found mercury levels of 36 to 62 parts per million (ppm), where levels above 0.5 ppm are considered unsafe for animals that live in the sediments. Olin contracted its own study, which confirmed Ms. Smith's results. These levels were high enough to cause the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to order a clean up of the canal.

Charleston, TN facility

Olin reported emitting 1,141 pounds of mercury into the air at its Charleston plant in 2006, making it the largest source of mercury air pollution in Tennessee.
Olin's Charleston facility emitted more airborne mercury than any of TVA's fossil fuel power plants - more than TVA's three biggest mercury emitting power plants combined.
This plant accounts for 30 percent of the total mercury emissions in Tennessee, and is the fourth largest discharger of mercury into the state's waterways.

Olin Can Go Mercury Free

Olin Has Shifted Before: Niagara Falls, NY and Macintosh, AL

Niagara Falls, NY- Olin made the switch from a mercury-cell process to a membrane-cell process at this site by 1990. This switch has kept thousands of pounds of mercury from being released to the environment. If this plant had continued to operate at full mercury-cell capacity from 1990 through 2006, it would have released somewhere in the neighborhood of 11 tons of mercury into the environment.

McIntosh, Alabama- Olin gradually made the switch from the mercury-cell process to the diaphragm process between 1978 and 1982. Today this plant has about the same capacity as the Augusta and Charleston plants combined.

Mercury-Free Technology is Good For Business

Uses less energy, which saves the company money and reduces greenhouse gas emissions
Does not produce mercury waste, which saves money on waste disposal
Does not require mercury recycling, which reduces costs
Reduces occupational risks for workers by eliminating mercury exposure
Reduces the risk of lawsuits pertaining to mercury pollution
Eliminates the cost and hassle of permit procedures for mercury releases

Case Study: St. Gabriel, LA plant

Olin will shift the plant, formerly owned by Pioneer, to membrane cell technology as part of a project to expand capacity by 25%. The company expects the project to be completed by the end of 2008 with a total cost of $142 million.
The company expects $31 million in annual benefits from the conversion and expansion. In addition to increased revenue from higher production, the benefits also include reduced costs associated with updated technology, such as a 29% reduction in energy usage.
With these projections, the project will pay for itself in 4.5 years.

Get Involved
Oceana is working with citizens in the Augusta, GA and Bradley County, TN communities to convince Olin to go mercury free. We need help of all kinds, from posting a sign in your yard to attending events to getting your friends involved.

Georgia-Contact Tonya Bonitatibus, Georgia Field Organizer, at 706-461-3362 or tbonitatibus@oceana.org.

Tennessee-Contact Suzanne Wisdom, Tennessee Field Organizer, at 202-422-9084 or swisdom@oceana.org.