Mercury and Your Environment!
What is Mercury?
Mercury is a chemical element. Although it is a metal, it is a liquid at room temperature. Its chemical properties make it a useful substance for a variety of electronic devices and industrial applications. Mercury is also highly toxic to humans and as a pollutant, mercury stays in the environment for a very long time.
Find out more information about mercury, know how to make your household mercury-safe and see what effect mercury on Indiana's environment.
Or select one of the following options to find out:
Where can Mercury be found?
Mercury is often used in everyday household objects so it is important to dispose of them properly. Select one of the objects below to find out more information about mercury and your home:
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Why is Mercury a Concern?
Mercury is one of the primary pollutants of concern in Indiana because:
- Mercury poisoning can cause irreversible brain, liver, and kidney damage.
- Fetuses and children are the most sensitive to mercury toxicity
- Mercury does not breakdown to less toxic forms in the environment.
- Significant quantities of mercury have been found in many Indiana streams and species of fish in Indiana.
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Mercury Related Programs at IDEM
- Fish Consumption Advisories
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), with support from Purdue University, collaborate to produce an annual Indiana Fish Consumption Advisory based on the statewide collection and analysis of fish samples for long-lasting
contaminants found in fish tissue, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
pesticides, and/or heavy metals (e.g., mercury)
- Mercury Awareness Program (MAP)
This program provides free mercury recycling throughout Indiana, and endeavors to provide Indiana citizens with education on environmental and health-related dangers associated with mercury.
- Mercury Reduction Outreach for Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW)
This program provides materials and resources to help you develop and implement a mercury pollutant minimization program plan.
- Mercury Thermostat Reduction and Recycling Pledge Program
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) contractors can participate in this voluntary program for the free recycling of discarded mercury-containing thermostats.
- Mercury and Hospitals
Mercury air emissions often result from the burning of medical waste. Hospitals that operate incinerators my need to upgrade these devices to meet the emissions requirements outlined in the Indiana Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerator Rule (1999)
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Mercury Laws & Rules
- Indiana Code IC 13-20-17 - Restrictions on Batteries Containing Mercury
This law restricts the sale and distribution of batteries containing mercury.
- Indiana Code IC 13-20-17.5- Mercury and Mercury Products Law
This law restricts the sale of mercury-added novelties, thermometers, mercury compounds, and equipment for use in school laboratories, and the general sale of mercury-containing commodities.
- Universal Waste Rule Guidance [PDF - 45KB] (329 IAC 3.1-16, incorporating 40 CFR 273)
The Universal Waste Rule is a modification of the Hazardous Waste Rules, enacted under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which is designed to reduce regulatory management requirements so as to foster the environmentally sound recycling or disposal of certain specified categories of commonly generated hazardous wastes.
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