City of St. Louis Department of Streets Refuse Division 4100 South 1st Street St. Louis, Missouri 63118-3390 (314) 353-8877 Fax: (314) 352-5627

Ionizing/ionization smoke alarms include radioactive material (Americium-241), which is encapsulated in a metal chamber (a very small disc ranging in size from three to five millimeters in diameter). As long as this disc remains in the smoke detector, radiation exposure will be negligible. The half-life (rate of decay) of Americium-241 is about 432 to 458 years. Generally, smoke alarms last or are recommended for replacement every ten years. So, your smoke detector will still contain hazardous material when you’re finished with it.

For proper disposal of ionizing smoke detectors, return the entire unit (intact) to the supplier or manufacturer, with a note indicating that it’s for disposal. Their address should be listed on the label on the smoke alarm, or in the product warranty or user's manual. For more information on smoke detectors, visit http://www.epa.gov/radiation/sources/smoke_alarm.htm.

When replacing smoke alarms, consider using photoelectric smoke detectors, which do not contain radioactive material.

Smoke alarms contain circuit boards, and are thus accepted by electronics recyclers, including the following who are located within the City of St. Louis:

WITS
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8am-530pm, Saturday 9am-530pm, 1st and 3rd Sundays 10am-4pm, except holidays
Web Site http://www.witsinc.org
E-Mail witsinc@witsinc.org
Phone 314.382.1650
643 East Holly, St. Louis, Missouri 63147

Keep in mind that some smoke detectors use lithium batteries, which can be recycled locally. For more information on household batteries, and where they can be recycled, visit http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/recycle/batteries.html.

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