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Mercury is highly toxic. Liquid mercury is present in many devices, such as thermostats, that are found in buildings. When liquid mercury is exposed to air, harmful, invisible vapors are emitted. Spilling even a small amount of mercury can threaten the health of anyone who is present, and lead to an expensive cleanup. Moreover, when mercury gets into the environment, it concentrates in fish in a highly toxic organic form. Eating contaminated fish damages the neurological development of children, and especially of fetuses exposed when their mothers eat fish. It also can cause kidney damage.
Keeping mercury-containing devices out of buildings, and handling the mercury that has already been put into buildings safely and without damaging the environment, requires the participation of building owners, designers, companies that construct and demolish buildings, and government.
Mercury In Buildings (http://www.epa.gov/seahome/mercbuild/src/title.htm)
This site was developed for contractors, owners and managers, architects, state and local government to provide information that will help to reduce mercury in buildings and to safely manage existing mercury in buildings. It includes basic information regarding the hazards of mercury, guidance for identifying mercury containing devices and developing management and emergency procedures, regulatory information, identification of specific mercury hazards by type of building and links to further assistance. U.S. EPA Region 5 / Purdue University Research Foundation, 2002.
Mercury In Products (http://www.newmoa.org/prevention/topichub/subsection.cfm?hub=22&subsec=19&nav=19)
A discussion of mercury in products such as wiring devices and switches, including thermostats, electric lighting, measuring devices and control instruments and more. Also provides a brief overview of environmental impacts caused by land filling and incineration. Pertinent on-line resources are available through the "Only Mercury In Products Links" button. Other navigational links will lead to a wealth of mercury information maintained in this topic hub. Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA)
Additional Mercury Resources
Understanding Mercury in Building and Component Design, Specification, Remodeling and Demolition (http://www.state.in.us/idem/ctap/hospitals/mercury.pdf)
Provides an overview for contractors on specifying products, identifying and managing mercury containing products in buildings. Also provides a list of products that may contain mercury. Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, 2000.
Mercury Regulations and Policies (http://www.newmoa.org/prevention/topichub/subsection.cfm?hub=22&subsec=8&nav=8)
An overview of federal and state regulations and policies regarding mercury. Pertinent on-line resources are available through the "Only Regulations and Policies Links" button. Other navigational links will lead to a wealth of mercury information maintained in this topic hub. Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA)
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