Mercury

Mercury is Everywhere

Mercury is a naturally occurring metallic element that is toxic to people and the environment. It is found in many common items at home, school and work, including:

Fluorescent bulbs and tube lighting
Thermostats
Button cell batteries used in hearing aids, watches, and small devices
Antique thermometers, barometers, and some mirrors
Medical equipment such as blood pressure cuffs and fever thermometers
Skin lightening creams and soaps, antiseptics such as thimerosal or merbromin
Electronics with liquid-crystal display screens, such as computers and certain TVs that have backlit displays
Switches in automobiles made before 200
Mercury won't harm you if it stays inside an item. But when a product containing it is broken, thrown in the trash, or poured down the drain, mercury accumulates in the environment, polluting air and water, and accumulating in fish.
Mercury most commonly poisons humans through:
Inhalation; by breathing invisible vapors
Ingestion; by eating contaminated fish
Dermal absorption; by touching mercury directly.

Protect yourself and your family by:
Avoid putting mercury-containing products in the trash or down the drain. Many communities have household hazardous waste collection events or sites where you can safely dispose of these items. Learn more about where to dispose of mercury products and other household hazardous products at Recyclopedia.
Never touch spilled mercury. Keep people and pets away and open windows to ventilate the area. Don't sweep or vacuum spilled mercury up! If a person or a pet has come into contact with mercury, contact a medical professional immediately.
Check product labels. Buy mercury-free alternatives whenever they are available.
Be aware of fish consumption advisories. Eating contaminated fish can be harmful for your health. See updated information here.

Mercury Spill Information

If you accidentally spill mercury there are certain things you must do to protect yourself and others:

Ventilate the area. Open a window or outside door.
Evacuate the spill area for 10 minutes.
Do NOT use a vacuum or broom to clean up the spill. Use two index cards or other stiff paper to push the mercury together into a ball.
Carefully, scoop up the mercury onto one of the index cards or paper. Put it all, including the index cards/paper, into a plastic bag and seal. If possible, place the sealed plastic bag into a glass or plastic jar with a screw-on lid.
Call the District for directions on where and when to dispose of the mercury.

Mercury Disposal Information

Residents are encouraged to bring any articles that contain mercury to one of the Hazardous Waste collections. Items such as fluorescent light bulbs, mercury fever thermometers and thermostats can be dropped off at the special collections and will be properly shipped and recycled.