Healthy Housing and Environment Team

Mercury

Mercury in Thermometers

Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program

Mercury is naturally occurring metal in the environment that is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid.  It is used in fever thermometers and other household products.  The quantity of mercury released from even a single broken thermometer can cause a significant degree of contamination in the home and community. 

As of January 2002, Rhode Island legislators passed a law to ban the sale of mercury-containing fever thermometers.  The Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program provides a safe way for Rhode Islanders to disposes of mercury-containing thermometers.

For additional information regarding mercury, please visit the links listed below:

The Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program Reports 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

Guidance for Managing Broken Mercury Fever Thermometers

Managing Broken Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

RI Recovery Center (free service to dispose mercury-containing materials, such as thermometers, thermostats, mercury switches)