Banned Mercury Building Products

Washington State Department of Ecology

Batteries - The Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996 targets battery and product manufacturers and battery waste handlers - not consumers. Different sections of the Act apply to different types of batteries. Specifically, the Act:

Establishes national, uniform labeling requirements for Ni-Cd and certain SSLA rechargeable batteries.
Mandates that Ni-Cd and certain SSLA rechargeable batteries be "easily removable" from consumer products. A battery can be easily removed if it is detachable or removable from the product with the use of common household tools.
Makes the Universal Waste Rule effective immediately in all 50 states for the collection, storage, and transportation of batteries covered by the Battery Act. In Washington State the state Universal Waste Rule was adopted in 1995.
Requires EPA to establish a public education program on battery recycling and the proper handling and disposal of used batteries. EPA is required to consult with manufacturers and retailers to carry out this initiative.
Prohibits, or otherwise conditions, the sale of certain types of mercury-containing batteries (i.e., alkaline-manganese, zinc-carbon, button cell mercuric-oxide, and other mercuric-oxide batteries) in the United States.

Light Bulbs - There are no bans on mercury in light bulbs although some types of lights typically have less mercury.

Paint - The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) regulates the sale and use of pesticides, including registration of chemicals that meet health and safety tests. Until recently, several mercury compounds were registered as pesticides, bactericides, and fungicides.

By 1991, however, all registrations for mercury compounds in paints had been canceled by EPA or voluntarily withdrawn by the manufacturer. Existing stocks may be sold until depleted.

Some states, particularly the Great Lakes states, are beginning to look beyond health-based concerns, and are looking instead to the waste disposal problems associated with mercury containing products. State regulations are beginning to ban the sale of certain products that contain mercury (e.g., toys and shoes), limit the content of mercury in other products (e.g., batteries and packaging), and impose recycling requirements and disposal restrictions on mercury-containing products.

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