About Mercury
Mercury is a metal with many useful properties, so it has been used by people in many different ways. Unfortunately, mercury is also very toxic to people and wildlife, and some of its uses have resulted in widespread contamination of the environment. You can click here to learn more about mercury.
The Sacramento Stormwater Program has identified mercury as a top priority pollutant, and has established this web page to help inform the public about how to reduce their use of mercury, and lessen the chance of its release to the environment where it can harm people and wildlife.
Be Mercury Free
Be Mercury Free is a regional program dedicated to reducing mercury in our local environment. It works with schools, hospitals, and industries, and is supported by various public and private partners.
Mercury Product and Spilled Mercury Disposal
Several commonly used household and business products contain mercury—these products require special care in disposal to prevent harm to the environment. Mercury is toxic to people and to wildlife. The Universal Waste Rule will make it illegal for both residents and businesses to dispose of these products in the trash in early 2006 (sooner for some products for businesses).
Mercury
Switch disposal guidance
for Auto Dismantlers, Auto Repair Shops, and Scrap Metal Recyclers
Mercury-containing switches in automobiles and major appliances, if
improperly disposed of at the time of repair or dismantling, are potentially a
significant source of mercury in urban runoff. Recent changes in State and
Federal regulations address the handling and disposal of these switches by auto
dismantlers, metal recyclers, and auto repair shops.
Here are some links to guidance materials, to help business operators understand
and comply with the hazardous waste regulations pertaining to mercury switches.
Universal Waste Rules: Changes to California’s Universal Waste Regulations, Department of Toxic Substances Control
Auto Dismantlers: Self-Training Manual for Removing Mercury Switches from Vehicles, Managing Mercury Switches Found in Vehicles, Waste Management Options for Mercury
Auto Repair Shops: Managing Mercury Switches Found in Vehicles, Waste Management Options for Mercury
Scrap Metal Recyclers: Self-Training Manual for Removing Mercury Switches from Appliances
What Products?
- Fluorescent tubes
- Batteries
- High intensity discharge lamps
- Sodium vapor lamps
- Mercury switches and thermostats
- Mercury thermometers
How to Handle Spills?
If you spill mercury in or around your home:
- Ventilate the area
- Avoid direct contact—and thoroughly wash any parts of your body that come into contact with mercury
- Pick up the mercury with sticky tape or by scooping onto heavy paper
- Place the mercury and anything that has come into contact with the mercury in triple-sealed, tightly-closed plastic zipper bags
Do not clean up with a vacuum cleaner or broom!
More information on spill cleanup can be found at www.calpoison.org/public/mercury.html
Where to Dispose?
The Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership is working to reduce urban environmental mercury exposure by encouraging the proper disposal of mercury containing products by residents and businesses within Sacramento County.
For Residents:
Please do not dispose of these items in the regular trash. Start now to recycle mercury containing products at your local household hazardous waste collection facility.
For Sacramento County residents information on hours and locations can be found at www.sacgreenteam.com/hazardous/residents.htm.
For City of Sacramento residents information on hours and locations can be found at www.pwsacramento.com/generalservices/waste_pages/residential.html.
For Folsom residents information on pick up can be found at www.folsomhazmat.com.
In addition, the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District sponsors a mercury thermometer exchange program. You can turn in your old mercury thermometer for a new digital thermometer. Information on exchange locations and dates can be found at www.BeMercuryFree.net. This website also has good fact sheets available on mercury in households.
For Businesses:
Educate yourself about how the Universal Waste Rule applies to your business. There is a good fact sheet that can be found at www.dtsc.ca.gov/publicationsforms/HWM_FS_UWR.pdf.
If you are classed as a conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) you can dispose of this waste at local household hazardous waste collection sites.
For businesses in Sacramento County, information on acquiring CESQG status and collection site hours and locations can be found at www.sacgreenteam.com/hazardous/residents.htm.
For businesses in the City of Sacramento, CESQG information may be found at www.pwsacramento.com/generalservices/waste_pages/commercial.html.
Fish Consumption
Fish are considered part of a healthy diet. However, certain fish should be eaten in limited quantities especially by pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children. And fish from certain waterbodies should not be eaten at all.
Information on typical mercury levels in different kinds of fish and recommended guidelines for what amounts are considered safe may be found at www.epa.gov/waterscience/fishadvice/advice.html or at www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/guide.asp
Information on waterbodies with posted fish consumption advisories may be found at www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/so_cal/index.html