Is there mercury lurking in your home?

Because of its unique physical properties, mercury is used in thermometers, thermostats, vehicle light switches, fluorescent lights and some items such as antique toy drawing screens and pre-1997 light-up sneakers. Each year in the Bay area, 13 million fluorescent lamps are disposed of. You can help keep mercury out of the Bay by recycling burned out-fluorescent lights and other household items containing mercury.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that accumulates up the food chain. Exposure to mercury can affect the brain, spinal cord, kidneys, and liver, with children being the most susceptible. Mercury can also impair fetal development, preventing the brain and nervous system from developing normally. The U.S. Food and Drug administration issued a nation-wide consumer advisory that children, nursing mothers, and women who may become pregnant should not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or ocean whitefish because of the mercury content. Also, due to the San Francisco Bay mercury contamination, it is recommended that adults eat no more than two Bay fish per month.

How Can You Help?

·        Replace Your Mercury Fever Thermometers – The standards for accuracy are the same for mercury and the non-mercury alternatives, including digital and glass thermometers. As of July 1, 2002 it is illegal to distribute or sell mercury thermometers in California. Glass thermometers use either alcohol or a mix of gallium, indium and tin instead of mercury.

·        Recycle Your Household Items – Mercury recovered from old fluorescent lights, thermometers and thermostats means less new mercury needs to be mined, and as a result less potential mercury in our air and water. Call (408) 299-7300 or www.hhw.org to find out more about a local collection event or center near you.

·        Mercury Spill at Home - If you spill mercury in your home, turn off your heating or air conditioning and ventilate the room to the outdoors. Avoid touching the mercury with your bare hands and do not vacuum the spill. Use a medicine dropper, collect the mercury and place the mercury and dropper in an airtight container. Take the mercury to your local household hazardous waste facility or collection event.

By protecting the watershed, creeks and Bay, you are protecting the environment for yourself, your children and future generations. For more information about how to protect your local watershed, call 1(866) WATERSHED or visit www.mywatershedwatch.org for your free Watershed Watch Kit.