Products Containing Mercury
Your home, business, office, or school may contain a number of products that have mercury in them. These man-made sources of mercury are referred to as anthropogenic sources.  For many products, as long as these items are in good working order, they are considered to be safe.  When these items are not handled properly or are carelessly disposed of, they can become a health hazard, especially if they break and the mercury is released to the environment.  Common mercury-containing items are presented in the following paragraphs.  A brief description of these items, the estimated mercury content, hazards associated with these items, and disposal recommendations are included when possible. 

• Thermostats

• Fluorescent Lamps

• High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps

• Thermometers

• Manometers (pressure-measuring devices)

• Button-Cell Batteries

• Switches

• Silent Wall Switches

• Commercial/Industrial Heating and Cooling Equipment

• Flame Sensors

• Elemental Mercury and Mercury Compounds

• Other Products: toys, novelties, jewelry

• Amalgam Dental Fillings

• Product Chart and Alternatives to Mercury Products

Mercury-Containing Thermostats

Many mercury-containing thermostats are round. To see if your thermostat contains mercury, carefully remove the front cover of the thermostat to look for a small ampoule containing a silver liquid.  If you see this, you have a mercury thermostat.  Mercury-containing thermostats use mercury tilt switches containing on average 3 grams of mercury.  The switch provides accurate and reliable temperature control with little or no maintenance and no required power source.  While the device is operational and the mercury is enclosed, the thermostat does not pose a health risk, but mercury spills could arise if the thermostat is not handled and disposed of properly at its end of life.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) businesses and building and electrical contractors may be dealing with mercury thermostats during routine replacement projects, renovations, and building or demolition projects.  Ask the HVAC or electrical contractor to properly dispose of the thermostat off-site following replacement. These thermostats should be taken to the nearest hazardous waste facility, wholesale contractor business that participates in a thermostat recycling program, or should be picked up by a hazardous waste collection contractor.  The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) provides collection bins for participating wholesaler and contractor businesses which deal with mercury-containing thermostats.  Digital thermostats do not contain mercury and are an excellent alternative.

In Washington, the Department of Health has a Thermostat Recycling Project that is working to expand the use of the national thermostat Take Back Program provided by TRC.   Participating wholesalers and electrical contracts may allow all businesses and homeowners to use their collection bins.  Most local hazardous waste facilities will allow homeowners to bring these thermostats in for recycling.

Homeowners and Recycling Thermostats: Homeowners in seven Washington counties can also participate in this national thermostat "Take Back" program by taking their mercury-containing thermostats to their local hazardous waste facilities. This program is also sponsored by the Thermostat Recycling Corporation which pays for the transporting of the thermostats and the removal and recycling of the mercury. The participating counties are: Kitsap, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, and Walla Walla . Washington is one of only five states participating in this pilot project, which will hopefully be expanded to a national program in the future. To view Mercury Posters for recycling  check here.

Fluorescent Lights

Fluorescent bulbs are often used as indoor lighting.  The most common is the tube style, which serves as overhead lighting in offices, businesses, and at home in the kitchen, workshop, office, bathroom and laundry room.  Fluorescent lights last about four years and contain .02-.05 g of mercury per tube, depending on the size.  Hazards arise when these lamps are broken and the mercury is released in either a gaseous or solid state.  A newer style is the compact fluorescent light (CFL).  It resembles a small coiled tube and does contain mercury.  

Fluorescent bulbs are highly efficient and their use is recommended over incandescent lights, due to their longevity and the fact that less energy is used to create or dispose of these bulbs.  Because they contain mercury, however, they must be properly disposed of at a local hazardous waste facility (visit the Department of Ecology's Hazardous Waste Service Providers), or via the fluorescent lamp recycling program (Northwest Product Stewardship Council). 

All fluorescent bulbs in Washington should contain the Hg symbol. Remember when you see the Hg symbol, that it means handle gently and dispose properly.

High Intensity Discharge Lamps ( HID, mercury vapor)                    

There are several major varieties of high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs that contain mercury.  Bulb types include mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, and metal halide HIDs.  Mercury vapor HIDs contain an arc tube filled with mercury arc metal and argon as a starting gas.  They are efficient, have a long life, and can function in any position.  Each contains from .02 to .25 g of mercury. 

This type of lighting is found largely in business, schools, government, and in transportation projects.  These lights may contain mercury and must be properly disposed of through a company that deals with hazardous waste.  Some local hazardous waste facilities might collect these lamps from Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CE-SQGs). The newer metal halide lamps and high pressure sodium lamps contain less mercury and are even more efficient than mercury vapor lamps. 

Hazards associated with these products can occur when they are improperly handled, stored, or disposed.  When they break, mercury is released into the immediate environment and can affect people in the immediate area.

Businesses that engage in demolition, construction, or renovation can find additional information and resources from the Washington Department of Ecology. 

Mercury-Containing Thermometers

Mercury-containing thermometers hold mercury in the bulb of the thermometer.  Mercury thermometers of all types should NOT be thrown in the trash.  Fever, laboratory, air, water, and cooking thermometers should be disposed of properly.  The bulbs of mercury thermometers contain a silver colored liquid, while those of mercury-free alcohol thermometers are often red. Types of mercury thermometers include: ASTM and laboratory, cup case, incubator/water bath, minimum/maximum, sling psychrometer, tapered bulb, and weather thermometers.

If the thermometer breaks, the mercury may be spilled, releasing harmful vapors and contaminating the surrounding area, including floors, clothing, and other items the mercury comes in to contact with.  All mercury thermometers should be properly disposed of as hazardous waste.  Visit the Department of Ecology's Hazardous Waste Services Directory.
 

There are now multiple varieties of non-mercury thermometers, including high quality alcohol-based and digital thermometers, which should be used to replace the older mercury-containing thermometers

Contact the mercury program toll free at 1-877-485-7316 or e-mail Office of Environmental Health Assessments for more information.

Mercury-Containing Manometers

Manometers measure gas and vapor pressure.  A common type of mercury-containing manometer is a sphygmomanometer, which measures blood pressure.  A barometer is a manometer which measures atmospheric pressure.  Manometers can contain up to 454 g of liquid mercury when they are installed.  Alternative non-mercury products are available.  Hospitals, health organizations, clinics, schools, automotive businesses, dairies, barns, and even homes may contain a manometer.  Washington State recently helped replace a total of 122 mercury manometers in the dairy business, eliminating 35,516 g of liquid mercury and 32,795 g of mercury contaminated debris from the environment.

Since mercury-containing manometers contain large amounts of mercury, they should be handled carefully and be disposed of properly by taking them to the local household hazardous waste facility, visit the Department of Ecology's Hazardous Waste Service Providers.
 

Button Batteries

Tiny circular button cell batteries containing mercury are commonly used in small devices such as watches, calculators, hearing aids, digital thermometers, cameras and in toys and games.  While breakage is unlikely, button cell batteries should be properly disposed at a local household hazardous waste facility, visit the Department of Ecology's Hazardous Waste Service Providers.

In the past, minute amounts of mercury or lead were just added to the battery to make them last longer.  New technology is emerging that is replacing the need for the mercury.

Mercury-Containing Switches 

Mercury tilt switches are small tubes with electrical contacts at one end.  As the tube tilts, the mercury collects at the low end and a conductive pathway is formed which completes the electrical circuit.  When the switch is tilted back, the circuit is broken.  Reed switches and float switches are other examples of mercury-containing switches.  Small electrical switches contain about 3.5g of mercury while larger industrial switches may contain up to 3,600 g of mercury.

These switches contain mercury and should be properly disposed at a local household hazardous waste facility.  Visit the Department of Ecology's Hazardous Waste Service Providers.

Silent Wall Switches

Mercury light switches were manufactured from the late 1960s to 1991 and used in new construction and renovations.  These devices look like a typical wall switches, but they do not make the audible “click” sound when activated.  They operate on the principle of liquid mercury in a metal-encased glass button that completes the electrical circuit when the switch is lifted up, submerging an electrical contact point.  They are often referred to as “silent switches”.  They contain about 2 grams of mercury. These items contain mercury and should be properly disposed of at a local household hazardous waste facility.  Visit the Department of Ecology's Hazardous Waste Service Providers.

Commercial/Industrial Heating & Cooling Equipment 

There can be mercury-containing switches in large, commercial and industrial heating or cooling units.  Consult the manufacturer for information concerning the potential of mercury release when disposing of these units. Ask the contractor that installs a new HVAC unit to properly dispose of mercury-containing devices.

Comprehensive information about mercury switches in appliances is available from the Burlington, MA Board of Health. http://www.burlington.org/health/Building products containing Hg.doc

.

Mercury-Containing Flame Sensors

Gas ranges found in many kitchens may use a mercury-based pilot light ignition.  The flame sensor is a required safety device for these appliances.  Their purpose is to prevent unignited natural gas from leaking into the home and creating a hazardous situation.  These flame sensors and switches contain 1 to 2 grams of mercury per unit.  A good substitute that is used in many new stove tops is an electronic pilot light igniter.

When purchasing, handling, and disposing of large appliances, be aware of the mercury risk and follow safety precautions to avoid mercury release accidents.  Consult your local household hazardous waste facility.  Visit the Department of Ecology's Hazardous Waste Service Providers.  Many communities have pick up days once or twice a year.  Public utility companies often send out notices of these events with the utility bill.  For businesses, if your business is a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CE-SQG), you may be able to take these sensors to the local hazardous waste collection facility. 

Elemental Mercury    

Elemental mercury and its compounds are used in laboratories, school science classes, some dental offices, mining and sometimes in home metallurgy workshops. 

Elemental mercury and other mercury compounds are banned from K-12 schools in Washington as of January 1, 2006.  The presence of elemental mercury in school science labs is particularly worrisome as the large majority of incidents involving mercury spills in U.S. schools come from the substance being taken from science labs. It is not uncommon for spilled mercury to be tracked on buses or homes following an uncontained spill incident.  Elemental mercury is the only metal on earth that is liquid at room temperature and appears shiny, silver, and noticeably heavy.  Elemental mercury is an excellent conductor of electricity and combines easily with other metals to form compounds, making it a long favorite for use in school science laboratories.

If your school still has elemental mercury or mercury compounds in its labs, contact your local Public Health Department, or the Washington Department of Ecology or your local Educational Service District to inquire about a lab cleanout.  Homeowners with elemental mercury or mercury compounds should go to their local household hazardous waste facility.  Visit the Department of Ecology's Hazardous Waste Service Providers.

Businesses which have scientific laboratories associated with them may also have elemental mercury or mercury-containing compounds on their shelves.  A current inventory and assessment of chemicals on the shelves is important for any business to have on hand in addition to the Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) information, just in case there is an accidental spill or other contamination.  MSDS forms describe products and chemicals so that information regarding possible hazards associated with them are transmitted to employers and employees. 

Examples of mercury compounds include mercury salts, mercury oxide, mercury chloride, also known as Zenker’s solution, mercury sulfate, mercury nitrate, and mercury iodide.  These are to be removed per the MERA legislation.

The National Institutes of Health has an excellent “Mad Hatter ”  site on mercury in labs, health organizations, and other occupational settings. 

Other Products:  Jewelry, Toys, Novelties

Mercury is often associated with items originating from developing countries.  Examples include novelty games, toys, shoes, necklaces and religious or folk medicine practice.

Some mercury item are used in Santaria and other religious practices common in Latin American and the Carribean, while others are for ornamental or novelty purposes.  Many of these items find their way to the United States through vacationers bringing back trinkets or from the import of goods.  While it may be difficult to halt these practices, consumers should be aware of mercury-containing items and handle them properly.  Look for necklaces with vials containing a drop of mercury.  Mercury may also be in candles burned for ceremonial or religious practices.  Visit the Office of Environmental Health and Safety  indoor air quality program for additional information on mercury necklaces.

Older toys may also contain mercury.  Maze toys where use of a drop of mercury is the maze “navigator.”  Running shoes that light up and were made before 1994 might contain mercury.  A number of toys today that light up or make noise are powered by mercury-containing button batteries.

Any jewelry, toys, novelties or other items that contain mercury should be properly disposed of a local household hazardous waste facility.  Visit the Department of Ecology's Hazardous Waste Service Providers.

Some paints that hobbyists, crafters, and designers use can contain mercury or other heavy metals.  Some safer alternatives are available.  When making purchases, seek out products which contain the least amount of hazardous ingredients.

Amalgam Dental Fillings
For more than 150 years, dental fillings made from a mixture of silver, mercury and other metals, have been widely used to treat tooth decay.  These fillings, called “silver fillings” or “amalgams” are often still the preferred treatment for certain kinds of cavities.  They tend to be easier to install than other kinds of fillings and once they harden, they are very durable.

Washington Department of Health (DOH) has been asked to address concerns that the mercury in amalgam fillings poses a health risk to the wearer.  Mercury can damage the central nervous system if enough is absorbed into the body.  DOH has prepared this information about amalgam fillings to answer questions about their safety, and to provide resources and references for those wishing to further explore the issues.

Additional Links

Comprehensive information about mercury in products is available from:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/seahome/mercbuild/src/devicepage.htm

Businesses can find additional information and resources about regulations, products, and disposal options in their demolition, construction, and renovation projects from:

• Washington Department of Ecology http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/demodebris/index.html

 Washington’s Guide to Mercury Products in the Home