"Global Mercury Emissions Down 30 Percent As Coal Use Drops: USGS"

"Global emissions of mercury from manmade sources fell 30 percent from 1990 to 2010, in part from decreasing use of coal, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported on Wednesday.

The greatest decline of the toxic pollutant was in Europe and North America, offsetting increases in Asia, the agency said, citing an international study. The findings challenge longstanding assumptions on emission trends and show that local and regional efforts can have a major impact, it said.

"This is great news for focused efforts on reducing exposure of fish, wildlife and humans to toxic mercury,” said David Krabbenhoft, a USGS scientist and one of the study’s co-authors."

Reuters had the story January 13, 2016.