Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: June 5, 2002
Contact: Sherri Curria 222-3425

HEALTH Announces Mercury Thermometer and Thermostat Exchange; Protects Health and Prevents Pollution

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH), in conjunction with Clean Water Action, The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, and CVS/Pharmacy announce a Mercury Thermometer & Thermostat Exchange to be held at 2 locations on Saturday, June 8 2002.

Participants will get a Free $5 CVS ExtraBucks Coupon good for $5.00 off their purchase at their local CVS/Pharmacy by trading in a mercury fever thermometer or mercury home thermostat. Residential materials ONLY. One per family. Bring the thermometer in its original container or a plastic ziploc bag

The two Rhode Island Locations are:

• Rhode Island Health Department - Parking Lot
  Cannon Building, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence
  Saturday June 8, 2002
  9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
• Central Landfill - Go Past the Main Gate to the Administration Building
  65 Shun Pike, Johnston
  Saturday June 8, 2002
  9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Accidental mercury releases from broken mercury thermometers and thermostats in the home present a risk to your family’s health. When mercury-containing products are broken or thrown in the trash, outdoors or down the drain, the mercury can pollute our environment and many kinds of fish. People can be exposed to mercury by breathing fumes, eating contaminated fish or touching spilled mercury.

Help to safely dispose of mercury by bringing mercury fever thermometer or thermostats to one of the free disposal sites and receive a $5 coupon from CVS. Click for directions and more information.