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04/20/2007: "Wanted: Heavy Metal --- A Special Collection of Mercury"

The County Solid Waste Division is participating with several other Washington counties in an effort to collect MERCURY-bearing consumer products for safe disposal and recycling. The statewide plan is to use the occasion of Earth Day to remind people of the dangers of mercury exposure and to provide collection of the following items:

* fluorescent light bulbs
* CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps)
* high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps
* fever thermometers
* automotive switches
* non-digital thermostats (round)
* button cell batteries w/ mercury
* elemental mercury, amalgam
* barometers

A FREE collection of these products will be held in conjunction with our next hazardous waste collections at the solid waste transfer stations on these islands:

ORCAS, Saturday, April 21st, 11 am-2 pm
SAN JUAN, Sunday, April 22nd, 10 am-2pm.

Tips on preparing for a hazardous wasteround-ups.

Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that can be absorbed through the skin; its fumes and vapors can also be inhaled. Mercury exposure can have serious negative impacts on our health and has been linked to damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, sensory and motor skills; it may also be associated with increasing occurrences of autism in children and developmental neurologic problems in fetuses. When improperly disposed of, mercury like other heavy metals (lead, cadmium, copper, arsenic, zinc) can bioaccumulate in the environment and concentrate in marine life, wildlife, and humans.

Isolate mercury-bearing items from the other hazardous waste you bring in; wrapping bulbs and thermometers in paper or plastic and sealing them will prevent breakage in transport. Please call 370-0503 by April 13th if you have large numbers of fluorescent bulbs to help us estimate our inventory.

To learn more about mercury and products that contain mercury, visit Ecology’s mercury website at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/mercury/