Mercury is a metallic element that, in its pure form, is a heavy,
silver-colored liquid. Mercury occurs naturally in ores and other
geologic formations and is also released into the environment
through various human activities. Mercury can be found at low levels
throughout the environment and is carried across whole continents by
upper atmospheric air currents.
Mercury has significant public health and wildlife impacts,
primarily from consumption of mercury-contaminated fish. It can
permanently affect fetal and child development and can damage the
brain, kidneys and lungs. Whereas mercury released into the
environment is primarily inorganic or elemental by nature, when in
the environment, it is converted by bacteria to a methylated or
organic form, which is the most toxic and bioaccumulative form of
mercury. Once formed, methyl mercury can be readily passed through
the food chain. Mercury’s designation as a “persistent,
bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT)” pollutant and its widespread
prevalence in the environment have made it a high-priority pollutant
at both the state and national level.
Mercury is used in many common household products, including
thermometers, fluorescent light tubes, thermostats, batteries,
dental fillings and vehicle light switches.
General mercury information
Mercury programs
You can help reduce the amount of mercury that gets into the
environment:
- Replace your mercury-containing thermostat with an
energy-efficient digital thermostat.
- Exchange your mercury-containing thermometer for a digital
thermometer. DEQ sponsors a number of household hazardous waste
collection events statewide that include mercury thermometer
collection and exchange.
- For
homeowners: To find out where you can recycle mercury thermostats
and other household hazardous waste, go to DEQ’s Household Hazardous Waste
(HHW) collection
information web page or call your county solid waste department or
1-800-732-9253.
-
For heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC)
contractors/wholesalers: You can recycle mercury thermostats through
the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) program. If your
company has seven or more contractors/technicians, or is located in
a rural area, you are eligible to get your own recycling container
from TRC.
In 2006 Oregon DEQ participated in an incentive program for
contractors. For each mercury-containing thermostat returned to a
participating wholesaler for recycling, the contractor received a $4
rebate coupon toward purchase of an Energy Star thermostat. The
project resulted in more than doubling the number of thermostats
recycled.
Oregon state law (Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 455.355,
implemented by Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 918-440-0500-510)
makes it illegal for contractors to install thermostats containing
mercury in homes or commercial establishments. HVAC contractors are
also required by state law to properly manage mercury thermostats so
that mercury does not become part of the solid waste stream. Each
mercury thermostat contains about 4 grams of mercury, and because
there are so many in use, mercury thermostats are one of the largest
sources of disposed mercury.
- Recycle fluorescent light tubes, compact fluorescent light (CFL)
bulbs and other mercury-containing products by taking them to a
retail or household hazardous waste collection event or facility.
- Check to see if your vehicle has mercury-containing convenience
light switches. Replace them with non-mercury switches. For
information about the free Mercury Switch-Out Program that allows
you to "switch your switch," check the Northwest Automotive Trades
Association Web site.
- Quickly clean up any spilled
mercury following DEQ guidelines.
- Free Mercury Collection Program