• Why is Mercury (Hg) bad?
• What can I use instead?
• How do I dispose of an old mercury thermometer?
• What should I do if I spill mercury or break a mercury-containing device?
• Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: General Information and Disposal Fast Facts
• Other Resources

Why is Mercury (Hg) bad?

Mercury is a toxic substance that can be found in many household items, including old thermostats and thermometers. You should avoid buying items that contain mercury and use substitutes whenever possible.

Mercury is a dangerous and potent bioaccumulative neurotoxin that can affect the central nervous system, kidneys, and liver. Short-term high-level mercury vapor exposure can cause nausea, shortness of breath, pneumonitis and bronchitis. Extreme levels can cause tingling sensations in the fingers and toes, a numb sensation around the mouth and tunnel vision. Long-term exposures can lead to personality changes, memory loss, stupor, and coma. In pregnant women, mercury can pass through the placenta where it can affect fetal development by preventing the brain and nervous system from developing normally. The elemental mercury found in thermometers can be converted by microorganisms in the environment into methyl-mercury, which is the most toxic form of mercury.

Health Care Without Harm, an environmental group, estimates 18,000 calls were made to hospital emergency rooms and poison control centers in 1998 because of broken thermometers. The Ann Arbor City Council recently voted their approval of a ban on the sale and manufacture of thermometers containing mercury. By doing so, the city joins San Francisco and Duluth, Minnesota, as the only U.S. communities that have prohibited mercury thermometers. Possession of mercury thermometers remains legal, but the City is launching an effort to discourage their use.

What can I use instead?

You can usually purchase a mercury-free thermometer at your local pharmacy. The Geratherm thermometer is an example of a non-mercury thermometer. The German-made thermometers contain a non-toxic liquid alloy composed of gallium, indium and tin. Slightly larger than a conventional thermometer, the instrument nonetheless operates identically. It is also considered more environmentally safe than digital thermometers, which are powered by small batteries that cause their own long-term disposal problems. Sold at most major drug-store chains, the Geratherm thermometer retails for $4-$5. Mercury thermometers generally sell for about $2 to $3.50.

How do I dispose of an old mercury thermometer?

Thermometers or any other mercury containing device can also be dropped off at the Washtenaw County Home Toxics Reduction Center. The Washtenaw County Home Toxics Reduction Center offers a permanent drop-off site where residents can safely dispose of household hazardous wastes. Educational programs and information on safe, non-toxic alternatives to toxic household products are available as well. All services are provide free of charge to Washtenaw County residents.

What should I do if I spill mercury or break a mercury-containing device?

Due to mercury's volatility and potential for inhalation, spilled mercury should be cleaned up as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Mercury vapors are odorless and colorless and account for 80% of elevated mercury exposures.

Contain the spill and make sure it did not get on articles of clothing and shoes. Keep children and pets away. Ventilate the area. Get a flashlight, plastic film canister, plastic dustpan, eyedropper or syringe (without the needle), rubber gloves, goggles, and plastic bags with a zipper close. Remove all jewelry from hands and wrists so the mercury does not combine with the precious metals. Put on rubber gloves and safety glasses. Inspect the spill with a bright light to help illuminate any hidden droplets. Clean up any metallic beads of mercury by pushing with a sheet of rigid paper like an index card into the center of the spilled area, keeping the mercury away from carpeting, fabric, or porous materials. Carefully combine and consolidate the mercury droplets. Slide the mercury onto the card and suction off using the eyedropper or syringe. Place the mercury into the plastic film canister or any plastic sealed container. Place the container into a plastic bag along with the syringe, broken thermometer, etc. and anything else that may have touched the mercury and label the bag Elemental Mercury Waste.

If mercury is spilled on carpeting, you will have to cut out the carpeting and double or triple wrap the section in plastic bags. If the mercury came in contact with clothes, dispose of them also. Never wash mercury-laden fabrics in a washing machine!

Call (734) 222-3950 to arrange an appointment for to drop off the mercury waste at the Washtenaw County Home Toxics Reduction Center. Mercury collected by the Home Toxics Reduction Center is sent to a commercial recovery facility that refines the mercury for reuse in industry in a regulated setting.

Important Tips:

• Never use a vacuum cleaner or a broom to clean up a mercury spill.
• Do not dispose of mercury-containing devices in the trash.
• Never pour mercury down a drain - it will accumulate in the trap and off-gas the harmful vapors!

Resources

• In case of emergency, call the Poison Control Center 24 hours a day at 1-800-POISON-1 (1-800-764-7661).

• For more detailed information on cleaning up a small mercury spill, visit the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Cleaning up Small Mercury Spills web page.

• For a list of mercury alternatives, see the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Alternatives to Mercury webpage.

• For local information, visit Washtenaw County's Home Toxics Reduction Center webpage.

• Listen to the Washtenaw County Solid Waste Program's interview on National Public Radio regarding Cleaning up CFLs.

• For additional information via the phone, call the Michigan Department of Community Health at 1-800- MI-TOXIC.

• The Ecology Center of Ann Arbor has a brochure available, "Mercury Thermometers and Your Family's Health." Call the Ecology Center at (734) 761-3186 or find the information on the Health Care Without Harm website at www.noharm.org.

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  (EPA) also has a lot of helpful information on mercury.