Mercury in Your Home or School
What is Mercury?
Metallic mercury has fascinated people for centuries. It is the only metal that is a liquid at room temperature, and its brightness and heaviness have earned it the nickname “quick silver.” Mercury and mercury compounds have been extensively used in medicines, religious rituals, finish wool, pesticides and as a conductor of heat and electricity.
What is mercury used for?
Mercury metal is found in fever thermometers, rectal thermometers, barometers, electrical switches, blood pressure cuffs, thermostats, oven thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs and light ballasts. Mercury is also still used in certain cultures as a medicine and in religious rituals. Mercury-containing compounds were used in paints, art supplies, fungicides and medicines.
Why is mercury dangerous?
Liquid mercury vaporizes easily at room temperature. Mercury vapor is far more of a health hazard than liquid mercury, because the vapors are quickly absorbed by the lungs. As much as 80 percent of the inhaled mercury vapor will be absorbed into the lungs. In addition, the mercury migrates to the brain and central nervous system and kidneys where it can cause permanent, often irreversible damage. (ATSDR.)
Pregnant and nursing women, children and people with chronic health problems are more vulnerable to mercury poisoning.
Mercury compounds are also very toxic, and they are easily absorbed by the lungs, the skin and the intestines. They cause brain damage, kidney damage and death just like metallic mercury.
Should I remove mercury from my home or school?
YES! Thermometers, thermostats, barometers and other devices that don’t contain mercury are available to replace mercury-containing tools and they are comparable in price and in quality. Most mercury-containing paints, fungicides and medications have been banned in the USA and safer substitutes are on the market.
Spilled elemental mercury is difficult and expensive to clean up. Even a very small amount of mercury that is spilled can contaminate a large area with enough vapors to be hazardous. In addition proper clean up is expensive. A clean up can cost from $5,000 - $15,000! Homeowners and renters insurance may NOT pay for the cleanup!
I want to get the mercury out of my house or school. What can I do with it?
Franklin County Board of Health, The City of Columbus Health Department, Bowling Green State University, the Columbus Division of Sewerage and Drainage and local fire departments are sponsoring a mercury collection and thermometer exchange program throughout the county. For information on our mercury thermometer exchange program click here.
For additional information call (614)462-3928 or to visit USEPA's Mercury web site click here. Or to visit Ohio EPA's site - click here.
To recycle compact fluorescent lamps, click HERE.
For a tri-fold brochure on mercury and what you need to know, click HERE.
