Protect Your Family From Mercury
Mercury is a highly toxic substance used in many household items
including thermometers, thermostats, and fluorescent lights. Mercury can
cause harm to the brain, kidneys, and lungs. Unborn and young children are
especially at risk from mercury exposure because their nervous systems are
still developing. Human exposure to mercury occurs most often through
consumption of mercury-contaminated fish. Forty-one states have issued fish
consumption advisories including Washington. Fish-eating wildlife are also
at risk from mercury poisoning.
Washington State Fish Consumption Advisory
The Washington State Department of Health has issued
fish consumption advisories for Lake Whatcom, Eagle Harbor, Lake Roosevelt,
and Sinclair Inlet due to mercury contamination. They advise women of
childbearing age and children under six not to eat any shark, swordfish,
tilefish, king mackerel, and either fresh caught or frozen tuna steaks. In
addition, the amount of canned tuna eaten should be limited.
Mercury is in Everyday Products
Your home probably has many mercury added
products. Before you buy, read the label to see if mercury is added. Mercury
free products are readily available for purchase in retail stores.
- Fever Thermometers - Mercury fever thermometers are made of glass and
have mercury in the bulb end. Alternatives include digital, solar,
alcohol, and card thermometers.
- Thermostats - Electronic/programmable, or digital thermostats are
mercury free. If you replace your thermostat, bring your
mercury-containing thermostat to the HHW Collection Facility.
Check for directions and hours of operation.
- Fluorescent Lamps - Fluorescent bulbs and tubes contain mercury
but help conserve energy. Used bulbs and tubes must be disposed of
properly. Do not put them into the garbage - put them
back into their packaging and bring them to the HHW Collection Facility
for proper disposal or Seattle Lighting.
Check for complete details
- Jewelry - Some jewelry items contain mercury. These items are
particularly attractive to children. Look for glass ampoules with mercury
on chains, ribbons, or chokers. Bring these items to the HHW Collection
Facility for proper disposal. Check for directions
and hours of operation
- Children's Shoes - Those flashing lights look cute on your children's
feet. Did you know they contain mercury? Contact the manufacturer for
disposal options. Do not bring shoes to the HHW Collection Facility for
disposal.
- Barometers - Residents may bring old mercury-containing
barometers to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.
- Batteries - Small household batteries may be recycled at
several convenient locations. Check
recycle database
In addition, mercury may be found in dental amalgam, school labs, mining
operations, blood pressure equipment, and coal burning operations.
Safe Disposal of Mercury Products
Mercury and other household hazardous waste may be brought by residents to the Kitsap
County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility for proper disposal.
There is no charge for residential disposal. Check
here for additional information about the facility, direction, and hours of
operation.
Mercury-containing wall thermostats removed by electrical or HVAC
contractors are accepted by local wholesalers, where they are returned to
the manufacturer for proper management. There is no cost for
contractors or wholesalers to participate in this program.
Link to
Thermostat Recycling
What If I Spill Mercury At Home? How Should I Clean
It Up?
Mercury should always be handled with care and clearly marked for
disposal. If you spill mercury, follow these steps:
- Do not touch the mercury
- Never use a vacuum or a broom to clean up mercury. They will become
contaminated and increase the problem.
- Keep everyone away from the spill, including pets.
- Remove your jewelry and watch
- Assemble the necessary tools for cleaning up the spill. Be sure to
gather everything you will need before beginning to clean up:
- Rubber gloves
- Eye dropper
- Stiff paper recipe card, or note card
- Two plastic bags
- Duct or packing tape
- A wide mouth glass jar
- Put on rubber gloves
- Pick up the mercury with the eye dropper or use the paper to scoop it
up.
- Place the mercury into the jar and seal it with tape.
- Label it MERCURY WASTE.
- Pick up any remaining beads with tape.
- Place everything that contacted the mercury in a plastic bag and place
that bag inside the second bag. Label the bag MERCURY WASTE and
bring it to the HHW Collection Facility for
disposal.
If you spill mercury on a rug or carpet, follow these steps:
- Use an eyedropper to remove visible beads of mercury
- Place the beads in a glass jar
- Seal the jar with packing or duct tape
- Label the jar MERCURY WASTE
- Cut out the area of carpet where the mercury spilled. Place it in a
plastic bag. Include anything else that contacted the mercury.
- Place that bag into a second plastic bag. Label the bag MERCURY
WASTE and bring it to the HHW Collection
Facility for proper disposal.
If you spill mercury in a sink and it goes down the drain, follow these
steps:
- While working over a tray with a 1" lip, remove the trap and pour the
contents into a glass jar.
- Seal the jar with packing or duct tape
- Label the jar MERCURY WASTE
- Put anything that came into contact (including the drain trap) with
the mercury into a plastic bag.
- Place that bag into a second plastic bag. Label the bag MERCURY
WASTE and bring it to the HHW Collection Facility for proper disposal.
To learn more about mercury pollution prevention efforts in Washington
State, visit the Department of Ecology's website at
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/pbt/mercuryplan.html
To find out how designers, manufacturers, government, consumers, and
retailers can share the responsibility and costs of managing products
through all the stages of the products lifecycle, see the Mercury and
Product Stewardship Bulletin at
http://www.productstewardship.net/productsMercury.html
Washington State, Department of Health:
www.doh.wa.gov/mercury
Kitsap County Public Works
Solid Waste Division
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
solidwaste@co.kitsap.wa.us |
