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Department of Ecology News Release - April 17, 2007
07-086
OLYMPIA - Many common household items containing mercury, such as medical thermometers and fluorescent light bulbs, cause big problems if tossed in the trash where they can get into our air, land and water.
As part of Earth Week 2007, the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is helping to sponsor local mercury collection events in 11 counties.
These events are especially timely in light of the recent mercury poisoning of a Yakima teenager who remains hospitalized as a result of exposure to mercury at his home. The Yakima Fire Department called on Ecology to arrange for a contracted crew to clean up the mercury when it was found outside the home.
Hazardous items, such as those containing mercury, cannot be recycled in the normal way, but must be taken to a hazardous waste collection facility to ensure proper disposal.
Recycling is the best way to protect people, and especially children, from the health threats posed by mercury and other toxic substances.
Mercury collection events are planned in the following counties during Earth Week: Grant, Island, Lewis, Kitsap, Pacific, San Juan, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Walla Walla, and Yakima.
Check with local hazardous waste collection facilities for dates and times for each event. (See contact list below.)
All mercury-containing products, including fluorescent lights and bulbs, thermometers, thermostats, switches and relays and even some pumps, must be handled as hazardous waste, which means keeping them out of the garbage can.
Most fluorescent lights are marked with the "Hg" symbol, which is the international symbol for mercury. While compact fluorescent light bulbs are more energy efficient than conventional bulbs, their small size makes them easy to toss in the trash or the glass recycle bin. It's important for Washington consumers not to do this, as the compact bulbs also contain mercury.
Products containing mercury should be handled with care when transporting them to the collection site. Place small items in a sealed container and make sure lamps are protected from breakage.
Mercury is toxic and builds up in human body tissue. In young children, exposure to mercury can lead to learning disabilities and damage to the nervous system. In adults, exposure may cause cardiovascular and central nervous system problems.
Once in the environment, mercury can work its way up through the food chain. The most common way that humans can be exposed to mercury is by eating contaminated fish.
Many city and county hazardous waste collection facilities accept products containing mercury all year round. Call your local hazardous waste facility or landfill to find out hours and days of operations.
You may visit Ecology's website at http://1800recycle.wa.gov/ or call the hotline at 1-800-RECYCLE (732-9253) to help you find the facility nearest you. To learn more about mercury and products containing mercury, visit Ecology's mercury website at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/mercury/ or call the Hazardous Substance Information and Education Office at 1-800-633-7585.
Reducing toxic threats is one of Ecology's five strategic priorities in the agency's four-year action plan. Ecology is working in partnership with the state Department of Health to reduce or eliminate those chemicals that pose significant health threats to protect the health of our citizens and our environment. For more information, visit Ecology's Reducing Toxic Threats website at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/toxics.html.
Also, see Ecology's Earth Day / Earth Week website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/earthday/
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Media contacts: Kathy Davis, Ecology public information officer, 360-407-6149 Maria Peeler, Ecology mercury action plan manager, 360-407-6704
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
