Household Hazardous Waste

Mercury - What You Can Do

NOTE: The following information is also available as a downloadable PDF Flyer or Word document.

Info on Mercury Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Mercury Handling a Mercury Spill Disposing of Mercury Safely Refuse Home

ALL ABOUT MERCURY

What Items Might Contain Mercury?
barometers
button cell batteries
blood-pressure instruments
dental fillings
fluorescent lamps
meters
neon-type lamps or signs
old pesticides, fungicides, and paint
pressure gauges
relays
sprinkler system contacts
switches (silent light switches in automobiles, clothing irons, and space heaters)
temperature gauges
thermometers
thermostats

What is Mercury?
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that can be found throughout the environment. Human activities, such as using mercury to manufacture certain products, have increased the amount of mercury that is currently cycling in the atmosphere, in soils, and in lakes, streams, and oceans.

Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning
Impairment of the peripheral vision
Disturbances in sensations ("pins and needles" feelings, numbness) usually in the hands feet and sometimes around the mouth
Lack of coordination of movements, such as writing
Impairment of speech, hearing, walking;
Muscle weakness
Skin rashes
Mood swings
Memory loss
Mental disturbance

Did You Know? hats
The phrase "mad hatter" originated in the early 19th century, when felt hats were popular. Inexpensive felt hats were made from fur treated with a mercury compound. Hatters worked with this solution in poorly ventilated shops, and the accumulation of mercury in their bodies resulted in severe disorders. We now know that mercury is a poison, which, in severe cases, like that of the hatters, can bring about mental and physical disabilities. Why is Mercury an Issue for You? Health problems caused by mercury depend on how much has entered your body, how it entered your body, how long you have been exposed to it, and how your body responds to the mercury. People are at risk when they are exposed to spilled mercury, such as from a broken thermometer. Elemental (metallic) mercury and its compounds are toxic and exposure to excessive levels can permanently damage or fatally injure the brain and kidneys. Elemental mercury can also be absorbed through the skin and cause allergic reactions. Ingestion of inorganic mercury compounds can cause severe renal and gastrointestinal toxicity. For fetuses, infants, and children, the primary health effects of mercury are on neurological development.

REDUCE

The best alternative to managing mercury waste is to avoid creating it in the first place. Try the following hints for reducing mercury in your home:

Purchase digital or red alcohol thermometers and barometers.

Choose an electronic or mechanical thermostat.

Avoid chemical forms of pest and fungus control.

When purchasing batteries, avoid mercury air, silver oxide, and alkaline manganese batteries.

Ask your dentist for composite fillings, which do not contain mercury

REUSE AND RECYCLE

Many types of batteries, even those labeled "mercury-free" may contain trace amounts of mercury. Purchase rechargeable batteries which can be used over and over, and recycle them at the end of their life. Visit http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/recycle/batteries.html for more information on battery recycling options in the City of St. Louis.

Although fluorescent bulbs typically contain 10-40 milligrams of mercury, they still reduce your energy use significantly, and are the preferable environmental choice to incandescent bulbs. Remember, though, to avoid breaking them. For a list of fluorescent lamp recyclers in your area, visit http://www.earth911.org.

Many computer monitors manufactured today contain mercury. For information on computer recycling options in the City of St. Louis, visit http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/recycle/electronics.html.

MERCURY SPILLS

How Should I Handle a Mercury Spill?
All mercury spills, regardless of quantity, should be treated seriously. When liquid mercury is spilled, it forms droplets that can accumulate in the tiniest of spaces and then emit vapors into the air. Metallic mercury slowly evaporates when exposed to the air. The air in a room can reach contamination levels just from the mercury in a broken thermometer. Airborne mercury is highly toxic when inhaled.

DISPOSE OF MERCURY SAFELY

If you have a broken thermometer, put on a pair of gloves and consolidate the mercury droplets using a stiff piece of paper. The remaining small droplets can be picked up with adhesive tape or a damp paper towel. Do NOT collect the mercury with a vacuum. Place the mercury and other contaminated items in an airtight jar or sturdy plastic bag, and consult one of the following sources for safe disposal options. Once a fluorescent lightbulb has broken, the mercury vapor contained will have already entered the air. You can place the remains of the bulb in your household waste can.

MORE RESOURCES FOR PROPER MERCURY DISPOSAL

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District - Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Chart
Web Site http://www.msd.st-louis.mo.us/CommOutReach/HHWaste/DispChart/Default.htm

St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District - Recycling, Hazardous Waste or Other Environmental Service Providers
Web Site http://www.swmd.net/poll_prev/search.php

MDNR Environmental Services Program

From individuals, will pick up mercury-containing items (except for fluorescent lamps).

Will respond to situations where mercury has been spilled (such as a broken thermometer).
MDNR Environmental Emergency Response Line: 573.634.2436
(This service is not available to businesses that generate mercury waste.)

REACT Environmental Engineers
1120 S. 6th Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63104
http://www.react-env.com

Safety-Kleen (TS), Inc.
4526 Town Court, St. Charles, Missouri 63304
http://www.safety-kleen.com

Sunbelt Environmental Services
Post Office Box 469, Springfield, Missouri 65801
http://www.sunbeltenv.com

References:

National Institutes of Health
Web Site http://www.nih.gov/od/ors/ds/nomercury/health.htm

United States Environmental Protection Agency
Web Site http://www.epa.gov/mercury/

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