A mercury thermometer exchange will be held in conjunction with the Household
Hazardous Waste Collection on Saturday, October 19th, 2002. The
thermometer exchange is one way to inform residents of Genesee County about the
health effects of mercury and to reduce the amount of mercury in homes. From 10
AM to 2 PM, residents can bring all of their hazardous wastes, including
anything containing mercury, to either of two sites:
Davison High School parking lot or
Fenton High School parking lot
A digital thermometer will be given to the first 1000 residents who bring a
mercury-containing fever thermometer to the collection event. Mercury
thermometers should be double bagged in self-sealing, airtight plastic bags for
transport. Thermometers with red or blue liquid contain colored alcohol and do
not pose a health risk.
Mercury is a heavy metal toxic to our nervous systems and fetal development.
Mercury is a contaminant in surface water that prompts more than 40 states to
publish fish consumption advisories. Mercury vaporizes in air, but settles in
soil and water and is converted to methylmercury, a highly toxic contaminant
that accumulates in larger fish.
The broken fever thermometers are the most common source of mercury
contamination in homes. Fever thermometers contain about 1.5 grams of mercury
which poses a health threat if not cleaned up properly. Mercury vaporizes at
room temperature and cannot be seen or smelled as it is breathed. Other sources
of mercury in homes are non-digital thermostats, alkaline batteries prior to
1996, some light and appliance switches, and some shoes that light up.
More information about the thermometer exchange, mercury containing items, or
cleaning up a small spill, can be obtained from the Genesee County Health
Department, (810) 257-3603.
