The "Toolkit for identification and quantification of mercury releases", the "Mercury Toolkit", is intended to assist countries to develop a mercury releases inventory. It provides a standardized methodology and accompanying database enabling the development of consistent national and regional mercury inventories. National inventories will assist countries to identify and address mercury releases. Comparable sets of mercury source release data will enhance international co-operation, discussion, goal-definition and assistance. Comparable datasets from many countries will help to establish a global picture of the scale of releases, and improve possibilities for enlarging the international knowledge base on mercury uses and releases.
The toolkit guides the inventory developer through the different stages of identifying sources and quantifying the consumption and releases of mercury from these sources. It provides a methodology, illustrative examples and extensive information on mercury release sources. The Toolkit thus facilitates the creation of national or regional mercury inventories. The “Mercury Toolkit“ has been revised based on initial experiences in using it and now exists in two versions:
- "Inventory Level 1" provides a new simplified version of the toolkit, as well as calculation spreadsheets and a reporting template, to make the development of an overview mercury inventory considerably easier.
- "Inventory Level 2" is an updated comprehensive version
The "Inventory Level 2" includes a chapter (chapter 5) giving a comprehensive description of all mercury sources. Besides supporting mercury inventory work, this chapter provides descriptions useful for anyone wishing to learn more about a specific mercury release source, including environmental authorities and researchers.
Countries are encouraged to use the Toolkit and to submit their inventories to UNEP Chemicals, who will make them publicly available on these webpage’s. Input and data from all regions will provide a broader knowledge base for the different sources of mercury releases and improve the Toolkit’s applicability.
UNEP Chemicals invites all users of the Toolkit to provide feedback on all aspects of this product. Users may consult with UNEP Chemicals where problems with application, interpretation and implementation occur or where the system does not seem to apply to the situation found in the country. The Toolkit will be updated and revised, as appropriate and feasible, to take account of emerging information and experience.