Mercury Waste Solutions - Mercury Facts

What Products Do I Use That Contain Mercury?
Mercury has many useful properties. Because it is liquid at room temperature, combines easily with other metals, and expands and contracts evenly with temperature changes, mercury has been used in many household, medical, and industrial products. A few examples are:

Old latex paints (manufactured before August 1990)
Some oil base paints (many still manufactured with mercury)
Fluorescent and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps
Thermostats and switches
Thermometers
Dental amalgam
Chemistry sets, older toys and games
Fungicides for seeds and turf
Old alkaline batteries and some button batteries
Some lighted athletic shoes

What is Mercury?
Mercury , also know as quicksilver, is an element that does not break down. It occurs naturally and is found in very small amounts in oceans, rocks, and soil. It becomes airborne when rocks break down, volcanoes erupt, and the soil decomposes. It then circulates and is redistributed throughout the environment.

Large amounts of mercury also become airborne when coal, oil, wood, or natural gas are burned as fuel or when mercury-containing garbage is incinerated. Once on the air, mercury can fall to the ground with rain and snow, landing on soil or in bodies of water, causing contamination.

Lakes and rivers are also contaminated when there is a direct discharge of mercury-laden industrial and municipal waste into these water bodies. Once present, mercury accumulates in the tissue of fish and other organisms and may ultimately reach the dinner table.

Although mercury is a very useful element with many unique properties and applications, it poses a very real health risk. We can minimize this risk by reducing our use of mercury-containing products and properly disposing of mercury-containing waste.

What Are the Human Health Hazards Caused By Mercury?
Although mercury can be taken in through the lungs, mouth or skin, the most likely exposure is by eating mercury-contaminated fish. It is the most toxic form -methylmercury - that collects in the flesh of fish.

Mercury affects the human brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. It affects the ability to feel, see, taste and move. There can be tingling sensations in the fingers and toes, a numb sensation around the mouth, and tunnel vision. Long-term exposure to mercury can result in symptoms that get progressively worse and lead to personality changes, stupor and coma.

Women who expect to become pregnant or are pregnant should not eat mercury-contaminated fish. Mercury affects fetal development, preventing the brain and nervous system from developing normally. Affected children show lowered intelligence, impaired hearing and poor coordination. Their verbal and motor skills may be delayed.

How Does Mercury Affect Wildlife?
Eagles, osprey, loons,turtles, mink, otters, and other fish eating creatures are at risk from eating mercury-contaminated fish. Mercury in their diets can cause early death, weight loss, and problems with their ability to reproduce. Unfortunately, wildlife cannot read fish advisories or change their eating habits in order to avoid mercury contamination.