62-296.417. Volume Reduction, Mercury Recovery and Mercury Reclamation  


Effective on Thursday, November 5, 2020
  • 1The terms “mercury recovery process” and “mercury reclamation process” are intended to have the same meanings as “mercury recovery facility” and “mercury reclamation facility,” respectively, as defined in Rule 3162-737.200, 32F.A.C. The term “volume reduction process” means a facility where operations or processes are performed or equipment is used to receive and process spent mercury-containing lamps or devices in a manner such as crushing, grinding, compacting, or physically altering the state of the lamps or devices and which does not produce separation of the residuals, and is used for the size or volume reduction of lamps or mercury-containing devices. The term “facility” as used in this rule is intended to have the meaning as defined in Rule 11962-210.200, 120F.A.C. The following standards apply to all volume reduction, mercury recovery and mercury reclamation processes except those exempted in paragraph 14062-210.300(3)(a), 141F.A.C.

    142(1) Operating Requirements. Facilities subject to this rule shall meet all operating requirements set forth herein, except that a facility may choose to control mercury emissions through the use of dual air handling systems or a single air handling system with redundant mercury controls, pursuant to either paragraph 19062-296.417(1)(c) 191or (d), F.A.C., respectively.

    195(a) Permissible Exposure Limit. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit for mercury vapor, set forth in 21729 C.F.R. 1910.1000, 220is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference.

    227(b) Negative Pressure Requirement for Processing Area. The area in which the processing equipment is located shall be fully enclosed and kept under negative pressure while processing mercury-containing lamps or devices. The term processing equipment is intended to have the meaning as defined in Rule 27262-737.200, 273F.A.C.

    274(c) Facilities with Dual Air Handling Systems.

    2811. The owner or operator shall install a primary air handling system with air pollution control equipment in order to reduce the mercury content of the air collected during the volume reduction and mercury recovery and reclamation processes.

    3192. The air collected by the primary system shall be vented within a fully enclosed area of the facility after the air is filtered through the air pollution control equipment.

    3493. Once each day the facility processes any mercury-containing lamps or devices and while mercury-containing lamps or devices are being processed, a sample of air shall be collected within the fully enclosed area of the facility in which the air collected by the primary air handling system is vented. The mercury content of the sample shall be determined for comparison with the OSHA permissible exposure limit. The terms mercury-containing lamps and mercury-containing devices are intended to have the meanings as defined in Rule 43262-737.200, 433F.A.C.

    4344. The owner or operator shall operate, monitor and maintain the primary system air pollution control equipment in such a manner as not to exceed the OSHA permissible exposure limit for mercury vapor within the fully enclosed area of the facility in which the air collected by the primary air handling system is vented.

    4885. The owner or operator shall install a secondary air handling system in order to maintain negative pressure in the fully enclosed area of the facility in which the air collected by the primary system is vented.

    5256. The owner or operator shall install, operate, monitor and maintain air pollution control equipment in order to reduce the mercury content of the air collected by the secondary air handling system.

    5577. The primary system with air pollution controls shall be independent and separate from the secondary system with air pollution controls. The primary and secondary system air pollution controls shall incorporate carbon filters or equivalent technology.

    593(d) Facilities Using a Single Air Handling System with Redundant Mercury Controls.

    6051. The owner or operator shall operate, monitor and maintain an air handling system with redundant air pollution control equipment in order to reduce the mercury content of the air collected during the volume reduction and mercury recovery and reclamation processes.

    6462. Redundant air pollution control equipment shall incorporate at least two carbon filters or equivalent technology arranged in series so that the air passes through both filters before being released. Each filter shall be designed as to ensure compliance with the OSHA permissible exposure limit for mercury vapor at the emission point in the event of a single filter failure.

    7063. Once each day the facility processes any mercury-containing lamps or devices and while mercury-containing lamps or devices are being processed, a sample of air shall be collected downstream of the first carbon filter (or equivalent technology) and upstream of the second. The mercury content of the sample shall be determined for comparison with the OSHA permissible exposure limit.

    7654. The owner or operator shall operate, monitor and maintain the air pollution control equipment in such a manner as not to exceed the OSHA permissible exposure limit for mercury vapor downstream of the first carbon filter (or equivalent technology) and upstream of the second.

    810(2) Recordkeeping Requirements. The owner or operator of a facility subject to this rule shall maintain records of monitoring information that specify the date, place, and time of measurement; the methodology used; and the analytical results. These shall include all calibration and maintenance records of monitoring equipment. The owner or operator shall retain records of all monitoring data and supporting information, available for Department inspection, for a period of at least five years from the date of collection.

    888Rulemaking Authority 890403.061, 891403.087 FS. 893Law Implemented 895403.031, 896403.061, 897403.087 FS. 899History–New 10-16-95, Amended 3-13-96, 3-2-99, 11-5-20.