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Mercury, an element that comes from both human-made and natural sources, acts as a
nerve toxin which may impair the way humans see, hear, walk, and talk, (http://nsdi
Vermont Legislative Research Shop
Mercury
Mercury, an element that comes from both human-made and natural sources, acts as a
nerve toxin that may impair the way humans see, hear, walk, and talk (EPA, 1997).
"The US EPA has already finalized emission limits for municipal waste combusters and
medical waste incinerators. As a result by the year 2000 emissions from these categories
will decline at least 90% from 1995 levels"(EPA, 1999).
Mercury can be found in four different forms:
Mercury metal, which is a silver-gray liquid, is harmful to humans when it is exposed
into the air and consequently breathed into the lungs.
Methylmercury "may be taken into the body by eating certain saltwater and
freshwater fish, especially larger fish at the top of the food chain, such as shark,
swordfish, large mouth bass, and chain pickerel."
Inorganic mercury compounds can be found in batteries, over the counter drugs,
ointments, nasal sprays, and some herbal medicines. These compounds may be harmful if
breathed or swallowed.
Phenylmercury can be found in latex paints (made before 1991), exterior and oil based
paints, caulks, eye area cosmetics, and toiletries. Phenylmercury can be breathed in vapor
form, passed through the skin, or swallowed
(NJ Department of Health, 1998).
Where is Mercury Found?
Mercury can be made from coal burning power plants and incinerators, as well as, from
volcanoes and forest fires. Some common items that contain mercury are:
Fluorescent, Metal Halide, high-pressure sodium, mercury vapor, and neon lamps (the
problem is not in the use of these mercury lamps but in the disposal).
Mercury switches and relays that can be found in chest freezers, and sump pumps.
Thermostat probes found in gas fired appliances with pilot lights, including
ranges, ovens, cloths dryers, water heaters, furnaces, and space heaters. These probes may
also be known as flame sensors or gas safety valves.
Thermometers: Mercury may be found in both typical fever thermometers and larger
laboratory thermometers. Also many thermometers used to measure air and water temperature
contain mercury. These thermometers which are generally used outside pose a problem when
they break because it is difficult to contain the mercury. Alternatives such as
spirit-filled and digital thermometers exist. They have been found to be as accurate and
last longer because they do not break.
Thermostats: Mercury tilt switches, which require little or no maintenance, as
well as no power source, are a convenient way to provide accurate and reliable temperature
control. Electronic thermostats, as opposed to mercury thermostats, can be programmed for
certain thermostat control therefore resulting in environmental and monetary benefits
through saving fuel.
Gauges: Barometers, Manometers, and vacuum gauges that are found in machinery may
contain mercury. Many mercury-free alternatives exist.
Laboratory solutions
Dental amalgam: A dental amalgam is restorative material containing about fifty
percent mercury along with other silver alloys. Individuals are exposed to mercury in
dental amalgams through inhalation of air containing elemental mercury during the filling
procedure and, ingestion of amalgam particles through saliva or during restorative
procedures (Subcommittee on Risk Assessment of the Committee to Coordinate Environmental
Health and Related Programs, 1999).
Why is Mercury Harmful?
Environmental Impacts: Mercury has been known to have harmful
effects on fish, birds, and mammals. These effects include impaired growth and
development, abnormal behavior, difficulties in reproduction, and even death (EPA, 1999).
Mercury enters the environment through a number of fuel combustion, incineration, and
industrial processes, as well as through some natural sources. Atmospheric concentrations
are, for the most part, very low. Mercury is deposited by way of wet and dry processes to
forest ecosystems. It then accumulates in highly toxic forms in the food chain of aquatic
ecosystems. This is detrimental to aquatic organisms, which in some cases leads to
problems in human health. Mercury exposure from food occurs most often through consumption
of mercury contaminated seafood or plants, such as rice. (ExtoxNet, 1999).
Health Impacts: "Mercury is almost completely absorbed into the blood and
distributed to all tissues including the brain; it also readily passes through the
placenta to the fetus and fetal brain" (EPA, 1999). The first symptoms of mercury
poisoning are evident by numbness and tingling of lips, toes, and fingers; this is called
paresthesia. "Continued exposure results in stumbling, slurred speech, constricted
visual fields, and impaired hearing. In extreme cases tremors and jerks can occur,
followed by coma and death," (State of Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality,
1997). "Signs and symptoms associated with mercury intoxication include tremor,
ataxia, personality change, loss of memory, insomnia, fatigue, depression, headaches,
irritability, slow nerve conduction, weight loss, appetite loss, psychological distress,
and gingivitis. Most of these signs of symptoms have been associated with persons with
long term occupational exposure to air concentrations of mercury greater than 50 m g/m3 whose urinary mercury concentrations are greater
than 100 ug/L," (Subcommittee on Risk Assessment of the Committee to Coordinate
Environmental Health and Related Programs, 1999).
How is Mercury disposed?
The most effective way to dispose of mercury is through reclamation. Many devices that
contain very small amounts of mercury can be disposed of through a reclaiming process. For
example button batteries can be recycled at jewelry stores and retail outlets and
thermometers can be disposed of through state exchange programs. "Larger quantities
of mercury will need to be disposed of by a licensed hazardous waste hauler"
(Michigan State University, 1998). For example, mercury-containing lamps must not be
incinerated, but must be transported to a hazardous waste landfill or sent to a lamp
recycling factory (EPA, 1997). The most important aspect of mercury disposal is that it is
not mixed with any other chemical. Elemental mercury must be placed in a sealed container
for collection by the EHSS (Environmental Health & Safety Services Laboratory Safety
Division) (Virginia Tech University, 1997).
Mercury spills can also be very hazardous to contain. The best way to contain them is
to, "collect the mercury in a flask equipped with a pipette and rubber hose connected
to a vacuum source. Small droplets of mercury can be amalgamated with zinc dust and the
resulting solids swept up. Droplets in crevices can be converted to mercuric sulfide by
dusting with sulfur powder"(Colgate University, 1997).
What are other States doing?
Maine: Bill 1924, enacted during the 119th legislative session,
contained the following resolutions related to mercury:
"An act to require informed consent when using mercury in dental
procedures…this bill requires informed consent from the patient for a dental
procedure involving the use of mercury or mercury amalgam, including information on the
intended use potential advantages and disadvantages, and other options for completing the
dental procedure."
As of July 1, 1999, Maine will require manufacturers to disclose to the commissioner all
products that contain mercury or have mercury added to them. In this disclosure the
manufacturer must state the amount of mercury, and the purpose that the mercury serves.
As of July 1, 2000 manufacturers must label mercury-added products for consumer
knowledge.
Sellers of lamps that contain mercury must inform the consumer in writing that the lamps
contain the hazardous substance.
Elemental mercury "may only be sold with a material safety data sheet, and may only
be sold for the purpose of medical, dental, instructional, research or manufacturing
purposes."
Mercury use will also be banned from all toys, games and apparel. (ME State Legislature,
1999).
Enacted under Bill 2151, new in-stream water quality standards were outlined for
mercury, stating that discharge from facilities, as of January 1, 2000, must be under one
pound per year. As of January 1, 2002 the discharge must be less than 0.1 pound per year.
If any waters are determined to have a concentration of ten parts per billion of mercury,
or if a danger to public health exists, the commissioner can issue an emergency order to
prohibit the discharge of mercury from any facility (ME State Legislature, 1999).
Minnesota: On March 23, 1999 a bill was introduced into the House and is
currently in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee. "This bill
establishes goals and strategies for bringing about further reductions of mercury releases
in the state" (MN State Legislature, 1999).
Maryland: A bill was enacted on July 1, 1993 stating, "a manufacturer or
distributor may not sell or offer for sale or for promotional purposes any package or
packaging component or any product in a package or packaging component to which any of the
following was intentionally added during manufacture or distribution: …mercury"
(MD State Legislature, 1999).
Massachusetts: On January 6, 1999 the Massachusetts House of Representatives
referred a bill dealing with the regulation of products containing mercury to the
Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture (MA State Legislature, 1999).
New Mexico: In the first session of the 1999, the Legislature of New Mexico
enacted House Bill 39, prohibiting the sale or installation of mercury vapor outdoor
lighting fixtures. This bill takes effect on January 1, 2000 (NM State Legislature, 1999).
New Hampshire: A bill was introduced into the Committee of Science, Technology
and Energy on March 2, 1999. "This bill would establish a mercury emissions reduction
and control program, and require the Department of Environmental Services to conduct a
study of the implications of increased mercury levels in the state’s ash
landfills…" (NH State Legislature, 1999).
Connecticut: In the January 1999 session the Connecticut Legislature enacted a
bill, "requiring the labeling of various products which indicates that the item
contains mercury and to authorize regulations regarding such labeling" (CT State
Legislature, 1999).
References
Colgate University, 1997, <http://offices.colgate.edu/chemmgt/HazWaste/unwanted
material.htm>
CT State Legislature, 1999, <http://www.cga.state.ct.us/ps99/tob/h/1999hb%2
D06625% 2D r00%2Dhb.htm>
EPA, 1997 <http://nsdi.epa.gov/glnpo/
p2/mercpam.html>
EPA, 1997 <http://www.epa.gov/docs/GCDOAR/waste.html#merc>
EPA, 1999, <http://www.epa.gov/oar/mercover1.html>
ExtoxNet, a Cooperative effort of the University of California-Davis, Oregon State,
Michigan State, Cornell University, and the University of Idaho, 1999, <http://ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet/>
MA State Legislature, 1999,<http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/legis/history/h03125.htm>
MD State Legislature, 1999 <http://mgasearch.state.md.us/
search97cgi/s97is>
ME State Legislature, 1999, <http://janus.state.me.us/legis/>
MN State Legislature, 1999, <http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/bs/81/hf/1508.html>
Michigan State University, 1998, <http://www.orcbs.msu.edu/AWARE/pamphlets/hazwaste/
mercuryfacts.html>
NH State Legislature, 1999, <http://www.state.nh.us
/gencourt/bills/99bills/hb0625.html>
NJ Department of Health, 1998, <http://www.state.nj.us/
health/eoh/ survweb/ mercury. htm>
NM State Legislature, 1999, <http://legis.state.nm.us>
Subcommittee on Risk Assessment of the Committee to Coordinate Environmental Health and
Related Programs, 1999, <http://web.health.
gov/environment/amalgam1/appendixlll. htm>
State of Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, 1997, <http://www.deq.state.la.us/
owr/mercury/mercsumm.htm>
Virginia Tech University, 1997 <http://www.ehss.vt.edu/labsafe/disp.html>
____________________________
Completed by Paul Kapsch, Matt Landi, and Sarah Schwartz on May 5, 1999.
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