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The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning is engaged in a Mercury Pollution Prevention Education Program which focuses on education, technical assistance, and mercury collection opportunities for significant sources of mercury. Through this program, the County is working with residents, schools, dentists, and hospitals to help them reduce their use and release of mercury.
Read on to find out more about mercury and what the County is doing to reduce its release into the environment.
Mercury, also known as quicksilver, is a naturally occurring toxic trace element found in air, water, soil and rocks. It is a persistent heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans and the environment.
Mercury accumulates in the tissues of fish and other organisms inhabiting mercury contaminated bodies of water, and may be carried up the food chain to humans. Although mercury is a very useful element with many unique properties and applications, it poses a very real health risk.
Mercury has many useful properties. It is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Mercury combines easily with other metals and expands and contracts evenly with temperature changes. As a result, mercury has been used in many household, medical and industrial products. A few are listed below:
Mercury is being phased out of many retail products. However, as a consumer, educate yourself, do not buy mercury-containing items if a substitute is available. Here are some additional tips on how to minimize health risk by reducing our use of mercury-containing products and properly disposing of mercury-containing waste!
Mercury Pollution Prevention presentations are available for any age group. Program staff will be pleased to visit your school, scout troop or community group. The outreach includes an animated slide presentation, household product display and information display board.
Erie County now accepts mercury and mercury-containing items at Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events!
Receive one mercury-free thermometer when disposing any type of mercury product.
Examples of acceptable materials include:
Properly disposing of these items is important because mercury is a persistent heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans, wildlife and the environment. Approximately one third of the mercury entering our atmosphere originates from the incineration of products that have been thrown in the trash. Take advantage of County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events to have your mercury-bearing waste properly managed!
More information on the Mercury Pollution Prevention Education Project is available by contacting Erie County at (716) 858-6370.
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