City of Elk Grove

Integrated Waste

Safe Handling & Disposal of Mercury

 

Prevent Mercury Spills

Mercury pictures

Mercury is a versatile metal used in many common household products and processes. Items around the house include fluorescent bulbs, silver-bulb thermometers and mechanical thermostats. It is also a toxic metal that, with repeated exposure over time, can build up to poisonous levels in humans and animals, especially fish. It is important that we dispose of our mercury-containing products properly. If improperly disposed of, mercury can enter our environment through many different sources, but ultimately it ends up contaminating our waters and some of the fish we eat. If you dispose of mercury products in garbage that is to be incinerated, the mercury vapors are released into the air. If the garbage is land filled, the mercury seeps into the groundwater and can be released into the air as a toxic vapor.

Safe Handling Procedures for Mercury Spills

1.  Before doing anything gather all necessary tools for proper clean up:

    1. a. Rubber gloves
    2. b. Eye dropper
    3. c. Stiff paper or card stock
    4. d. Two plastic bags
    5. e. Duct tape
    6. f. Wide mouth glass jar

2.  Do not touch the mercury

3.  Never use a vacuum or broom for removal. This only increases the problem.

4.  Keep all people and pets away from the spill.

5.  Always wear rubber gloves before handling mercury. Pick up mercury with an eyedropper or use paper or card stock to scoop it up.

6.  Place mercury in a jar with the eyedropper. Seal it with tape and
label, MERCURY WASTE.

7.  Pick up any remaining beads with the tape. Place everything that contacted the mercury in a plastic bag and place that bag inside the second bag.

8.  Lastly, to properly dispose of the mercury, bring it to your local Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW).

Tips to Help Prevent Mercury from Entering our Environment

  • Avoid buying or using products that contain mercury; such as replacing old mercury-containing thermostats with electronic ones.
  • Consider purchasing an alcohol thermometer instead of mercury-contained.
  • Properly dispose of mercury-containing products.
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City of Elk Grove . 8401 Laguna Palms Way . Elk Grove, California 95758 . 916.683.7111 . Fax 916.691.2001