Mercury Products

Products containing mercury create problems during production, use, if broken or spilled, as well as when in need of disposal.  Actions to reduce releases and exposures by curtailing production, placement and sale of mercury-containing products with safer alternatives have been implemented in many US states.  Equivalent, cost-effective alternatives for many consumer, medical, dental, industrial, agricultural and scientific applications have been introduced onto the market, yet many places still allow their sale. 

Links provided contain information on the multi-state mercury products campaign to end their production and sale and to promote effective programs for collecting discards.    

Reports

TURNING UP THE HEAT: ELIMINATING MERCURY THERMOSTATS FROM THE MARKETPLACE, New England Zero Mercury Campaign, February 2005.

The New England Zero Mercury Campaign released this report challenging the New England states to recognize the risks of mercury-switch thermostats, as well as the benefits of non-mercury, energy efficient alternatives, and to develop the regulations necessary to prevent the sale and haphazard disposal of mercury containing thermostats.

Mercury Product Pushers, New England Zero Mercury Campaign, January 2002.

This report examines the actions of five industries that make products containing mercury–including fluorescent lamps, thermostats, computers, auto mercury switches, and soap and detergents. The report details, for each of these industries, the products that contain mercury and the actions that should be taken to eliminate the threat of mercury. This report is intended to help state policy makers examine the claims of the mercury product manufacturers and understand both the feasibility and necessity of implementing the recommended NEWMOA mercury regulations.