Mercury

Mercury is a toxic metal found in thermometers, thermostats and fluorescent light bulbs. Recycling these items helps the environment and saves lives.

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Mercury (Hg)

Mercury is a liquid metal, which is toxic to humans, environmentally persistent, and accumulates in the food chain. Children are especially vulnerable to the hazards associated with mercury through inhalation, ingestion and absorption. Mercury is particularly dangerous when heated, creating vapors and making it more easily inhaled. Mercury targets the central nervous system and can lead to brain damage, tremors, speech problems, blindness and death. In the environment, mercury can be converted into methyl mercury which is very toxic. Currently, a fish consumption advisory is in effect for all of Michigan's 11,000 inland lakes due to contamination.

Macomb County residents are encouraged to bring in their mercury containing items such as thermometers, thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs, Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and other mercury containing items to Macomb County Health Department for environmentally safe and secure disposal.

Every ounce of mercury collected by the Macomb County Health Department minimizes the potential of a spill, thereby reducing the threats to the environment and public health by this dangerous compound.

Drop off procedure

Only mercury containing thermometers are accepted. Red colored thermometers do not contain mercury.

Transport and deliver mercury containing items in a double container:

  • Place the thermometer in the original protective case or other non-breakable container AND
  • Place the case or container in a zip lock bag or other non-breakable container

Broken mercury thermometer?

  1. Isolate the spill area and ventilate the room.
  2. Consult the DEQ's Small Spill Guide here
  3. Collected mercury (not the cleaning items such as rags and gloves) can be disposed of by calling the Macomb County Health Department at 586-469-5236.
  4. Contact the Macomb County Health Department for additional information.

Mercury in fluorescent lighting

  • Mercury is an essential compound for fluorescent lamps to emit light. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that mercury-containing fluorescent lamps account for 3.8% of all mercury going into landfills.
  • Lamps containing mercury become hazardous to human health and our environment when it is broken in a way that allows the mercury to escape.

When replacing fluorescent lamps look for lamps that contain low amounts of mercury. These lamps are marked with a green tip or labeled as "low mercury".

Clean-up of broken compact fluorescent lights

Information on broken compact fluorescents lamps can be found at

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/CFL_Fact_Sheet_193840_7.pdf 

For information on disposal of compact fluorescent bulbs click here for the household hazard waste collection schedule to view collection dates, times and locations.

Additional resources

Questions?

Call us at 586-469-5236, weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. or email us now.