Mercury thermometers are both an environmental and a health and safety problem. Broken thermometers are a potential source on injury from the broken glass, as well as a chemical hazard from the mercury in the thermometer.

In the environment, mercury falls with rain and snow, contaminating lakes and streams and accumulating in the bodies of fish and wildlife. It is found in small amounts in coal, and so is released into the air from coal-burning power plant emissions. It is released from trash incineration if the trash contains thermometers, batteries, or other sources of mercury. It can also leach into streams and lakes from landfills or dumps where mercury-containing trash is disposed. Natural processes can convert mercury into methylmercury, an even more dangerous form of the metal. In either form, the mercury concentrates up the food chain as larger animals eat smaller ones. Humans are not exempt from this process.

Mercury has many toxic effects in the human body. If a thermometer is broken and not properly cleaned up, tiny droplets of mercury can evaporate over time. When mercury vapor is inhaled, it enters the blood and can damage the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. Children and fetuses are at special risk. Swallowing or touching mercury metal is not nearly as toxic; thus if a broken thermometer is cleaned up properly and promptly people will not be harmed.

Mercury was used for many years in thermometers designed for household use because no alternatives were available. However, this is no longer the case today. In July 2001, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement about the health effects of mercury, and urged doctors and parents to stop using mercury thermometers and to dispose of them properly.

In the event a mercury thermometer breaks, the public is reminded that they should NEVER use a vacuum cleaner to clean up the mercury.

The vacuum cleaner can make tiny droplets in the air, increasing the problem and contaminating the vacuum cleaner as well. The state of Tennessee has a fact sheet describing proper cleanup procedures for broken thermometers at http://www2.state.tn.us/health/FactSheets/mercury.htm

Parents are especially encouraged to take advantage of the local thermometer exchange program to safely dispose of a household hazard and replace it with a safe substitute for free. Small children can easily break thermometers, and they find the shiny drops of mercury fascinating.

To avoid possibly cleaning up a broken thermometer, residents are encouraged to come to any of the thermometer exchange events held around the county. Exchanging mercury thermometers for digital ones at the thermometer exchange gives each participating family one less thing to worry about.

For safety while transporting the thermometers, the public should bring them in their storage cases. If the case is not available or the thermometer is broken, the thermometer can be brought in a 12-ounce plastic soda bottle with a screw-cap lid.

Note: If your thermometer contains a RED LIQUID it is NOT a mercury thermometer, and can be disposed safely in your trash. Mercury-containing thermometers always have SILVER liquid.

Unless otherwise announced, exchanges are limited to mercury thermometers from households; other type of mercury-containing waste such as old non-digital thermostats, barometers, manometers and other household mercury waste or devices should be brought to the City of Knoxville Household Hazardous Waste Center, where it will be accepted for disposal during business hours. The Household Hazardous Waste Center is free to residents of Knox County and City of Knoxville residents only and is located at 1033 Elm Street. The Center does not accept material from businesses, or residents from outside Knox County. Additional information about the Knoxville Household Hazardous Waste Center is available at 865-215-6700 or on their website at http://www.cityofknoxville.org/solidwaste/hazwaste.asp

Media Inquiries can be directed to:

John Homa, Waste Reduction Specialist, City of Knoxville, 215-2872

Albert Iannacone, Environmental Epidemiologist, Knox County Health Department, 215-5242

Mark Penland, Environmental Coordinator, TN Dept. of Environment and Conservation, 594-5512

ON-LINE RESOURCES ABOUT MERCURY POLLUTION

USGS Mercury in the Environment
Fact sheet that includes toxic effects, risk to people, risk to wildlife, fish advisories, sources of mercury, environments where methylmercury is a problem, and mercury contamination - past, present, and future.
http://www.usgs.gov/themes/factsheet/146-00/

Additional USGS Sites
Mercury Contamination of Aquatic Ecosystems
http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-216-95
Mercury Research in the USGS
http://minerals.usgs.gov/mercury/

U.S. EPA Mercury Website
Includes general information, actions, fish advisories, and technical information
http:// www.epa.gov/mercury/

Mercury in the Environment - by Environment Canada http://www.ec.gc.ca/MERCURY/EN/bf.cfm

Mercury in Schools and Homes
http://www.mercuryinschools.uwex.edu/mercury/index.htm

South Florida Restoration Science Forum
Includes: Can control of local sources reduce the risks? How will Everglades restoration affect mercury risks? Can management of water quantity or quality reduce the risks? Tracing Foodweb Relations and Fish Migratory Habits in the Everglades and Mercury Toxicity in the Food Chain. Related sites are http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/rooms/mercury/food_chain/ and http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/rooms/acme_sics/