Mercury in Your Home
What is mercury?
- Mercury is a shiny, silver liquid metal found in most high school chemistry labs and in many household items.
- Mercury, a naturally occurring element, may be a gas, liquid or solid.
- Mercury is a liquid at room temperature and conducts electricity very well, properties that make it very attractive for industrial and commercial uses.
- Mercury, if handled improperly, can be harmful to the environment and human health.
What items may contain mercury?
- Some fever thermometers,
- Non-electronic thermostats,
- Fluorescent light bulbs,
- Automatic shut-off clothing irons,
- Some dental fillings,
- Older alkaline batteries,
- Lighting electrical equipment, such as light switches and automotive switches,
- Laboratory chemicals and
- Pharmaceuticals.
Why be concerned with mercury-containing items in my home?
- Mercury-containing items, if broken or thrown in the trash, can enter the environment and adversely affect human health.
- Mercury poisoning can cause tremors, insomnia, memory loss, headaches, vision problems, irritability and nervousness, especially in children under the age of six.
- Mercury vapors can harm the human nervous system if breathed over a long period of time.
What can I do to rid my home of mercury?
- Learn which products contain mercury,
- Avoid buying products that contain mercury whenever mercury-free substitutes are available,
- Recycle mercury-containing products by calling your local solid waste management district, a list of which can be found at this Web address: http://www.recycle.in.gov/,
- Turn off electric lights around the home when not in use; much of Indiana's electricity comes from generators that burn coal and burning coal releases mercury in to the environment and
- Dispose of your mercury-containing items at a facility that accepts household hazardous waste.
What should I do if I spill mercury in my home?
Most mercury spills are not catastrophic events. However, you may call IDEM's environmental spill line at (888) 233-7745 to learn about proper clean up and disposal of mercury.
Where can I get more information about mercury in my home?
Call IDEM's Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance Mercury Awareness Program at (800) 988-7901 or visit IDEM's Mercury Web page.
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