GreenWorks - Ideas for a Cleaner Environment

Did you know that the term “Mad as a Hatter” started in the 19th century when workers suffered from mercury poisoning while exposed to mercury used in the felting process to make hats?

Today, mercury is still a toxic pollutant of particular concern for humans and wildlife. In humans, mercury is toxic to the nervous system, affecting the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. Young children and pregnant women are the most susceptible to mercury as it inhibits the development of the brain and nervous system. The health risk to humans from mercury in fish is significant enough for New Hampshire and 44 other states to issue a fish consumption health advisory (please see www.des.state.nh.us/pdf/Mercury_Fish.pdf for more information on the fish advisory). Mercury accumulates in the tissues of fish and other organisms and then builds up in the tissues of eagles, osprey, common loons, river otters, and others higher up the food chain, including humans. Fish eating animals may suffer premature death, difficulties reproducing, and brain and neurological problems.

Mercury released to the atmosphere comes from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas to provide energy and the burning of mercury-containing garbage. Mercury-containing products, such as switches, thermostats, lights, toys, and other items, can be found throughout the home in many household. These items can generate mercury emissions if improperly handled.

There are several steps you can take to reduce mercury emissions in the home and environment.

• Avoid buying products containing mercury. Thermometers, thermostats, electrical switches in appliances, contact lens solutions, nasal spray, neon lamps, and gauges are just a few commonly used items that may contain mercury. There are alternative mercury-free products available such as digital thermometers, electronic thermostats, and mercury-free solutions, gauges and neon colored lamps.
• Do you really need to buy that singing birthday card? Many novelty items such as light-up shoes and musical or light-up greeting cards or books may contain mercury-added switches or button cell batteries.
• Properly dispose of mercury-containing products and devices. Fluorescent lights, thermometers, button batteries (usually found in watches), calculators, toys, hearing aids and pagers are accepted at most local household hazardous waste collections. For a collection site near you, call your town offices or contact the N.H. Department of Environmental Services Household Hazardous Waste Program at (603) 271-2047 or visit www.des.nh.gov/hhw/.
• There are an estimated 50 million mercury-containing thermostats in homes nationwide. When a contractor replaces your thermostat, be sure that they recycle the old thermostat through an approved mercury recycling program. For more information about a free mercury recycling program for contractors, contact the DES Pollution Prevention Program at (603) 271-2900 or visit www.des.nh.gov/nhppp/trc.htm.
• Conserve energy in your home. Turn off lights and electronics when not in use and turn down your thermostat when you leave home. For more energy conserving tips, visit www.des.nh.gov/ard/ClimateChange/individuals.htm.

For information on mercury in the environment, alternative mercury products, disposing of mercury and mercury products and devices, cleaning up household spills of mercury and other related information, contact DES at (603) 271-2900 or visit www.des.nh.gov/nhppp/mercury.htm. For more information on the mercury health advisory, contact the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services at 800-852-3345 ext.4664.