Mercury in our Homes

Mercury In Our Homes

It is not uncommon for homeowners to use or acquire or find products containing liquid mercury in their homes. Elemental mercury, a silver colored metal is used in many household products. It is known to be toxic to humans, but when safely encased it is not a health threat. When mishandled, however, broken mercury containing products can become a source for exposure that could pose personal risk. In order to protect health and the environment, safe and proper storage of mercury is vital! Mercury-containing products have no alternative disposal options and must be saved for a household hazardous waste collection.

What If You Have Mercury-Containing Products in Your Home?

Products containing liquid mercury should be replaced with safer alternatives. Thermometers and blood pressure devices are available in electronic form and many older mercury-containing thermostats can be replaced with newer digital ones. All mercury-containing devices that have been replaced should be saved for a household hazardous waste collection and should never be thrown away with the trash. To minimize potential hazards, keep mercury-containing products in an airtight, leak-proof container. Until material is delivered to a collection, keep the container stored out of reach of children and away from any potential breakage.

Mercury Thermostat Collection

The City of Racine HHW collection Site is one of only 12 communities statewide that has been chosen to participate in this program. Please bring any mercury containing thermostats that you may have stored at home to our site for proper recycling and handling. This pilot project is being managed by the Product Stewardship Institute of Boston, Massachusetts and sponsored by the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) of Rosslyn, Virginia. The participating states include Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin. The purpose of the pilot project is to demonstrate that mercury thermostats collected at Household Hazardous Waste facilities can be safely recycled via the national TRC thermostat recycling program. The TRC program is currently only available to HVAC wholesalers and contractors, but not households. If the pilot project is successful the TRC program will be made available nationwide for all HHW facilities.

Mercury Thermometers

The Environmental Health Department is the collection point for citizens who want to get rid of old mercury thermometers or other mercury containing items (switches, thermostats, small amounts of liquid mercury). We will have digital thermometers available for those who turn in a mercury one. We accept them any day between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Environmental Health Division, Room 1 730 Washington Ave. Racine, WI 53403 Phone: 636-9203 Fax: 636-9165

What You Should Do If You Have Elemental Mercury in Your Home?

Many people have containers of elemental mercury in their homes left over from science projects or other sources. Elemental mercury is a shiny, silver-gray metal that is liquid at room temperature. If you have elemental mercury in your home, you need to exercise extreme caution with it and package it to contain any leaks.

Packaging Mercury For Storage and Transportation

1. All mercury-containing products or containers of mercury should be placed inside a larger container with a tight fitting lid.
2. Kitty litter or oil absorbent should be placed around the product to protect it from breaking or sudden shocks.
3. Clearly label storage container as "Mercury-DO NOT OPEN".
4. Transport containers to a household hazardous waste collection in a cardboard box and secure them so that they do not tip over and to minimize shifting or sliding during sudden stops or turns.
5. Transport in the back of a pickup truck or in a car trunk. If you must transport in the passenger compartment, make sure there is adequate ventilation.

What To Do If You Have a Mercury Spill

All mercury spills, regardless of quantity, should be treated seriously. If you have a broken mercury containing device or an elemental mercury spill in your home, contact the Racine Health Department. 262-636-9203

Do

• Leave the area if you are not involved in the cleanup.
  
• Open windows and doors to ventilate the area.
  
• Collect very small amounts of mercury with adhesive tape or an eyedropper. Store it in a sealed plastic container for transport to a household hazardous waste collection.
  
  

Do Not

• Use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury. A vacuum cleaner will spread mercury vapors and tiny droplets and increase the area of contamination.