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| | FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about Mercury
Why is mercury harmful?
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. It can cause brain and nerve damage, damage to internal organs, delayed development, impaired memory, emotional instability, sleeplessness and many other problems. Children and pregnant women are especially susceptible to the effects of mercury.
Where is mercury found?
Mercury is found in a range of products, including thermostats, dental amalgam, light switches, auto switches, thermometers, appliance switches, batteries, fluorescent lamps, medical devices, relays, antiques, novelty items and various other items.
What should I know about mercury in fish?
Mercury accumulates in fish more easily than in other animals, and the larger the fish, the higher levels of mercury it likely has. Eating fish in moderation does not pose a health risk to most people, but in 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency issued a warning advising that pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish because these species are high in mercury.
Every lake, river and stream in Pennsylvania is under a fish consumption advisory warning due to mercury and other pollutants. A detailed list of water bodies in Pennsylvania and suggested meal frequencies of fish from them can be found here. A detailed list of fish advisories for New Jersey can be found here.
The environmental group Oceana has compiled a “Green List” and “Red List” of supermarket chains which post the FDA’s warning about mercury in seafood. The list can be found here.
Where can I recycle mercury products I have in my house?
There are several locations around the Philadelphia area which collect and recycle various mercury items. For example, Ikea stores collect batteries and used CFL light bulbs, which contain small amounts of mercury. A list of fluorescent lamp recyclers can be found here. A list of recycling centers within 100 miles of Philadelphia, as well as national recycling programs, can be found here.
There will be a series of household hazardous waste drop-off events in Southeastern Pennsylvania in 2007. A list of the dates and locations of these events can be found here. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection operates a household hazardous waste hotline (1-800-346-4242) with information on drop-off facilities and collection events.
The Household Hazardous Waste Facility in Lancaster also accepts mercury items. The facility’s Web site is here.
Camden County has 2 more household special waste collection days this year: September 15 and October 20. Information on these events can be found here. Gloucester County is also hosting a series of collection days, found here.
The Delaware Solid Waste Authority runs household hazardous waste collections. For a collection schedule, call the citizens response line at 1-800-404-7080.
What do I do in the event of a mercury spill?
Mercury must be handled extremely carefully. The EPA’s guide to cleaning up mercury spills can be found here. Remember, immediately evacuate anyone not involved in the clean-up, ventilate the room where the spill occurred and never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury.
If more than 2 tablespoons are spilled at one time, it is mandatory to call the National Response Center. The 24-hour hotline is 1-800-424-8802.
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