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How do you dispose of mercury thermometers?

How do you dispose of mercury thermometers?

Throw it in the regular trash. Take it to a specific site for hazardous waste collection. Call another facility/agency for guidance on how to dispose of it….METHODS

  1. county and local health departments;
  2. county hazardous waste facilities;
  3. recycling centers; and.
  4. state official(s).

Can you throw away a thermometer?

Don’t throw thermostats, thermometers, light bulbs in the trash! They contain mercury, a seriously dangerous toxin! Mercury is the 80th element on the periodic table and is useful for all sorts of things: thermometers, lights, batteries, even jewelry. It is also a very dangerous heavy metal.

How do you dispose of small amounts of mercury?

Place the trash bag outside in a secured area and label it as directed by your local health or fire department. Contact your local health department, municipal waste authority, or your local fire department to find out how to conduct proper disposal in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

Do thermometers with mercury go bad?

Thermometers do not expire, but they do have to eventually be replaced. Digital thermometers will last about 3 to 5 years, while mercury thermometers will last indefinitely as long as they aren’t cracked or damaged.

Is mercury illegal to own?

Effective January 1, 2003, the California Mercury Reduction Act banned the sale of many products containing mercury. Even though they are banned from California’s marketplace, these mercury containing products still are frequently found in homes.

What gets rid of mercury?

The traditional treatment for mercury poisoning is to stop all exposures. In many cases, chelation therapy is also used. This involves giving a medication (the chelator) which goes into the body and grabs the metal (chelos is the Greek word for claw) then carries the metal out of the body, usually into the urine.

What do I do with old mercury?

Call your local environmental health or public works department. Call 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) Call DTSC’s Regulatory Assistance Officers at 1-800-72TOXIC (1-800-728-6942)

Is it illegal to have liquid mercury?

Health concern. Exposure to elemental mercury can damage human health because it is toxic to the kidneys and the nervous system. Mercury use is legal in certain industrial processes, but its handling is highly regulated and monitored.

What happens if you break a mercury thermometer?

If you break a mercury thermometer or light bulb, a small amount of liquid mercury may spill out. Liquid mercury can separate into small beads, which can roll some distance away. The mercury may also evaporate into vapour. However, this small amount of mercury is extremely unlikely to cause problems for your health.

How long should a mercury thermometer be in your mouth?

Place the thermometer tip under the tongue. Hold the thermometer in the same spot for about 40 seconds. Readings will continue to increase and the F (or C) symbol will flash during measurement. Usually, the thermometer will make a beeping noise when the final reading is done (usually about 30 seconds).

How to dispose of a broken mercury thermometer?

Set a dry paper towel close to the spill so you can easily reach it. Carefully pick up the broken glass pieces of the thermometer and put them on the paper towel. Collect the largest shards of the thermometer first before picking up smaller ones.

Where can I dispose of items with Mercury in them?

You will likely have to utilize your local household hazardous waste (HHW) facility or events to properly dispose of and recycle items containing mercury. What items contain mercury? Many consumer products may contain mercury, including compact fluorescent lightbulbs, thermometers, thermostats and mercuric oxide and button cell batteries.

Where can I dispose of a mercury manometer?

We offer a complete collection, disposal and recycling service for elemental mercury, mercury compounds and mercury in Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE). The recycling and disposal of electrical waste includes mercury tilt switches, manometers and fluorescent light bulbs.

Can you recycle mercury from an old thermostat?

However, older homes may still have thermostats that contain mercury. Old-fashioned thermometers use mercury, and anyone who uses fluorescent lights has small amounts of the metal in their home. We share several tips for recycling mercury in its various forms.