Mercury Lurking in your Home?

Recycle Series: Part I brought to you by Microempowering.org

What & Where is Mercury?• Mercury is a liquid metal

that is sometimes used in thermometers, thermostats, and fluorescent light bulbs.

• While mercury is used in common household items, interacting with it can be harmful to your health.

Dangers of Mercury• Mercury is hazardous if

inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.

• That is why it is a necessity to properly dispose of mercury-containing products.

• Improper disposal of products containing mercury can damage waterways and contaminate the air and environment.

Thermometers and Thermostats• To reduce the risk of

exposure to mercury, exchange your mercury fever thermometers for digital fever thermometers.

• Safer alternatives to mercury thermostats are programmable electronic thermostats. They are also more energy efficient.

Disposal of Thermometers & Thermostats

• Mercury thermometers can be disposed of at any special waste drop-off site.

• When updating your heating system, ask your contractor to remove and recycle your mercury thermostat or recycle them through the Thermostat Recycling Corporation.

Light Bulbs

• Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and fluorescent tubes contain slight traces of mercury.

• However, they are safe to use.

Disposal of Light Bulbs

• You can drop off CFLs at your local Home Depot, Ikea, or Lowes for recycling.

• If you choose to dispose of bulbs in your regular trash, be sure to double bag them to prevent injuries to sanitation workers.

Disposal of Light Bulbs• When disposing of

bulbs, handle with care to avoid breakage.

• If you break a bulb, follow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines to ensure your safety.

For more information on topics like this visit our Resources page at www.Microempowering.org