Rusch Resource Potential and Environmental Impact of Heavy Metals

The present report of the Federal Environment Agency shows with the material flow analysis currents, cargoes and storage of heavy metals lead, cadmium and mercury in Austria. This method allows for the accounting of resources, the estimation of cargoes in the waste streams and analyses of the impact on the environment. This system analysis is complemented by product-related detailed investigations, e.g. for cadmium in accumulators, heavy metals in plastics, lead in pipes and ammunition or mercury in dentistry and thermometers. Existing national and international measures are also presented. The following recommendations have been drawn up, inter alia: • Ban on lead shot in hunting and shooting, • phase out of dental amalgam, • repatriation of mercury thermometers from households and • restriction of emissions from crematoria.