1.   DEP Commissioner Struhs said his agency hopes to reduce in-state mercury releases through statewide recycling of batteries and fluorescent lamps.

2.   The EPA reported last year that power plants are the biggest emitters of airborne mercury, accounting for about a third of all mercury releases.

3.   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said this month that it will begin writing rules for cutting mercury releases from coal-fired generators.

4.   Within Massachusetts, the study found that incinerators burning household batteries and old electric light fixtures were by far the leading source of mercury releases.

5.   The agency said it planned to draft regulations to limit mercury releases from power plants.