Mercury

Mercury

Exposure to high levels of mercury can damage the brain, kidneys, and a developing fetus. Short-term exposure may also cause lung damage, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increases in blood pressure or heart rate, skin rashes, and eye irritation. Mercury accumulates in organic tissue and its levels can increase up the food chain.

Potential Sources

P2 Options

Commercial/Industrial

Medical/Health Services
Laboratories
Dentists
Photo Processing
Auto Services
Lamp Manufacturers

Residential

Paints
Photo Wastes
Auto Fluids

Medical/Health Services

Mercury: P2 Options: Medical/Health Services, Laboratories, Dentists

Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and procedures.
Buy products that do not contain mercury.
Replace mercury thermometers and blood pressure cuffs with non-mercury alternatives such as digital thermometers and electronic sensor blood pressure cuffs.
Encourage all employees to read the material safety data sheets provided.
Label mercury-containing instruments.
Make sure facility has a mercury spill cleanup kit.
Make sure staff are trained in proper cleanup procedures.
Clean spills immediately, and treat soiled towels as a hazardous waste.
Do not place mercury-containing materials in biohazards waste receptacles.
Follow procedures when cleaning or refilling mercury-containing instruments.
Do not handle mercury over a sink.
Recycle dental amalgam.
Use pre-encapsulated dental amalgam.

[Related links: Hospitals : Laboratories : Dentistry][References]

Mercury: P2 Options: Photo Processing

Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and procedures.
Use inventory control to avoid having materials expire.
Keep lids on solutions to avoid contamination and oxidation.
Segregate wastestreams.
Install a rinsewater recycling system.

[Related links][References]

Mercury: P2 Options: Auto Services, Auto Fluids

Train employees in proper equipment and chemical handling and procedures.
If you are using mercury-containing solvents, consider switching to non-mercury alternatives.
Recycle spent solvents.
Inspect vehicles for leaks. If leaks are found, use drip pans.
Keep wastes segregated.
Keep your shop or work area clean to avoid spills and accidents.

[Related links][References]

Mercury: P2 Options: Lamp Manufacturers

Train employees on proper handling and disposal procedures.
Properly dispose of mercury-containing fluorescent bulbs.
Use exchange network to find a lamp recycler.

[References]

Mercury: P2 Options: Paints

Consider using non-mercury and mercury compound-containing paints.
Dispose of old paint chips at a household hazardous waste collection site.

[References]

Mercury: References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQs
http://atsdr1.atsdr.cdc.gov:8080/toxfaq.html

Water Environment Federation, Source Reduction of Toxic Metals Through Public Education: A Cost-Effective Alternative to End-of-Pipe Treatment, October 1993.

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan's Mercury (Hg) Pollution Prevention (P2) Home Page,
http://www.deq.state.mi.us/ead/p2sect/mercury

National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Natural Resource Center, Mercury Pollution Prevention in Healthcare: A Prescription for Success,
http://www.nwf.org/greatlakes/pp/hosprpt.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Medical Waste Pollution Prevention: Keeping Mercury Out of the Wastewater Stream,
http://www.epa.gov/ARD-R5/glakes/fact3.htm

California Environmental Protection Agency, Pollution Prevention Guide for Hospitals (Excluding Medical Wastes), Document 413, May 1998.

Envirosense, Photo Processing Pollution Prevention Opportunities Checklist
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/cheklst6.html

Envirosense, Fact Sheet:Autobody Shops, November 1998.
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/autobody.html

Envirosense, Fact Sheet:Automotive Repair Shops, November 1998.
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/automotv.html

Envirosense, Fact Sheet:Disposal of Spent Fluorescent Light Tubes and Mercury Vapor Lamps,
http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/lamps-fs.html

Aronow R, Cubbage C, Weiner R, Johnson B, Hesse J & Bedford J, Mercury Exposure from Interior Latex Paint - Michigan.

Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant, Mercury Pollution Prevention Plan, October 1997.

[ Home ][ Pollutants ][ Tips ][ Links ]
[ Glossary ][ Help ][ Acknowledgement ][ Disclaimer ]
[ Back to Previous Selection ]