Mercury in Home Products
Mercury is a highly toxic element that can harm the skin, eyes, brain, kidneys, lungs, and the digestive, nervous, and immune systems. Mercury exposure can be dangerous to all humans and wildlife, but pregnant people and children are at the highest risk for negative health effects. As the only element or metal that is liquid at room temperature, it is commonly used in many household products and fixtures, which greatly increases the risk of exposure.
Mercury Pollution
Mercury can enter the environment from natural processes like volcanic eruptions, rocks breaking down, forest fires, and soils and from human activities. In fact, 44% of all human-caused mercury emissions in the United States come from power plants that burn coal to create electricity. Burning waste that contains mercury and breaking mercury-containing products are also large sources of mercury air pollution. Mercury is a big problem because it persists in the environment, meaning it does not break down quickly and it builds up (bioaccumulates) in the food chain. Mercury exposure most commonly occurs when people eat fish and shellfish.
- thermostats
- barometers
- auto switches
- float switches
- chemistry sets
- dental amalgam
- mercurochrome
- blood pressure cuffs
- button-cell batteries
- latex paint (pre-1990)
- specific oil-based paints
- alkaline batteries (pre-1996)
- fungicides for seeds and turf
- light-up tennis shoes (pre-1997 LA gear)
- weight/counterweight in grandfather clocks
- thermometers (mercury looks like a silvery liquid)
- fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps
- specific imported jewelry (glass ampules with silver liquid)
- Avoid breathing vapors and have people and pets leave the room.
- Do not touch, vacuum, or sweep broken materials to avoid spreading mercury-containing powder and vapors.
- Open a window or door to the outside environment to let vapors vent out for ten minutes and turn off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system, if you have one.
- Scoop up large glass pieces and powder with stiff paper or cardboard.
- Use sticky tape to pick up the remaining smaller pieces of glass and powder.
- Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel.
- Vacuuming hard and carpeted surfaces is not recommended unless you’ve completed all the other cleanup steps, and some broken glass remains. Vacuuming might spread mercury-containing powder or vapors. If you must vacuum, remember to:
- Leave a window or door open to the outdoors
- Vacuum using the hose, and, if relevant,
- Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and dispose of the bag in a plastic bag that can be closed.
- Place all materials in a sealed, airtight container, preferably a glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jar or plastic bag containing the mercury-contaminated material.
- Dispose of waste at HazoHouse. If you cannot get to HazoHouse after cleaning up the mercury, store all bulb debris and cleanup material, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a protected area until you can properly dispose of it. Never store mercury waste inside the home.
Cleaning up liquid mercury is very hazardous, and extreme caution should be taken when being in the same area as the mercury spill. Please visit the EPA’s website for detailed step-by-step directions on how to safely clean up mercury spills.
All mercury spills, regardless of size and location, should be reported to the Department of Ecology. Call the Department of Ecology at 360-407-6300 to reach a spill responder on duty in Thurston County.
If you have further questions, call the Washington Poison Center at 1 (800) 222-1222.
To reduce the risks of mercury to the public and the environment, Washington State passed legislation that makes it illegal to sell or distribute certain mercury-containing products. This includes thermometers, manometers (blood pressure measuring devices), and certain novelty items such as toys, games, jewelry, and decorations that contain mercury.
- LED Lighting – Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are safer, more sustainable, and more energy-efficient alternatives to incandescent and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL). LED bulbs do not contain mercury; they emit very little heat and can last three to five times longer than a CFL and 30 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
- Thermometers — Mercury-free thermometer options include digital, alcohol (usually a red liquid), solar, and card thermometers. To check if your thermometer has mercury, look for SILVER liquid inside – mercury is not red, blue, or purple.
- Thermostats — Mercury thermostats are no longer sold in the U.S. If your home’s thermostat has a round shape, you can remove the front cover and look for a small glass tube with silver, liquid mercury inside. Safely dispose of the old thermostat and replace it with a programmable, electric one that does not contain mercury.
- Dental fillings — The amalgam used for dental fillings can contain a mixture of mercury, silver, copper, tin, and other metals. Ask your dentist about safer alternatives.
It is critical to dispose of unwanted mercury products safely. Thurston County’s HazoHouse at the Waste and Recovery Center accepts mercury products, is open daily, and is free to Thurston County residents, but businesses must register and pay a fee (call 360-867-2491). Follow the EPA’s guidance for transportation and disposal of mercury products, including:
- All items containing mercury need to be placed in a larger container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Protect the item containing mercury with protective padding such as bubble wrap, kitty litter, or oil-absorbent padding to prevent it from breaking or sudden shock.
- Clearly label storage containers with “Mercury – DO NOT OPEN.”
- If you cannot dispose of mercury products immediately, safely store them in their original containers with their original labels and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
- Transport mercury products in a plastic container with a secure-fitting lid. Protect the container with the mercury product inside with padding to reduce shifting or sliding during transport.
- Place the container with the mercury product in the back of a pick-up truck or your car’s trunk. If you must transport the container in the passenger seats, open your car windows for ventilation.
- Do not break mercury-containing bulbs before disposal. Transport them in a box with padding to protect them during transport.
- Place broken thermometers in two resealable, air-tight plastic bags.
Eating fish is part of a healthy diet, but people are often exposed to mercury by eating contaminated fish. Mercury in fish gets converted to methylmercury, which is more toxic than the element found in household products. Pregnant and nursing people and children are most at risk from methylmercury poisoning. Children in the womb through six years of age experience fast growth and development. The toxic chemicals found in certain fish can greatly harm their development, so limiting and avoiding certain types of fish, like canned tuna, is very important.
The Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) issues fish consumption advisories when harmful chemicals have been found in fish from specific bodies of water. Statewide mercury advisories for fish can be followed by anyone but are particularly beneficial for people who are or might become pregnant, breastfeeding people, and children. Visit the WA DOH website to learn about updated fish advisories near you in addition to the types and number of fish that are safe to eat.
Visit the WA DOH website for more information and resources on the Fish Advisories Program to help you make smart fish choices.
- Mercury in Consumer Products - (US EPA) List of Common Consumer Products that Contain Mercury
- NEWMOA - Mercury-Added Products Database - Over 1,400 products listed by manufacturer containing mercury; compiled by the Northeast Waste Management Official's Association.
- Rule for Dangerous Waste Lamps (Dept of Ecology Hazardous Waste Toxics Reduction Program at 360-407-6758)
- Light Recycle Washington - Find locations throughout Washington State to recycle fluorescent, CFLs and HID lamps.
Resources
Learn more:
American Lung Association: Do It Yourself Healthy Home Assessment
Environmental Protection Agency: Reducing Household Hazardous Waste in Your Home
Environmental Protection Agency: Safer Choice
Green Science Policy Institute Six Classes
Safer Cleaning Recipes
Thurston County Healthy Homes Vendor List
Washington State Department of Ecology: Healthy Home Guide
Washington State Department of Ecology: What's hazardous in my home?
Washington State Department of Health: Eight Principals of a Healthy Home
Contact Us
Contact our Environmental Health Education and Outreach Team for more information at healthyhomes@co.thurston.wa.us or call 360-867-2674 if you have additional questions.