Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: June 21, 2002
Contact: Tom Brandt, DEM 222-2797 x7140

HEALTH Announces Two Mercury Thermometer and Thermostat Collections to Protect Health and Prevent 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 a candidate for Eagle Scout, Mark D'Aiello, announce a Mercury Thermometer & Thermostat Collection to be held in Cranston RI at 301 Pontiac Avenue Fire Station on Saturday June 29, 2002 and Saturday July 6, 2002.

Participants will get satisfaction from knowing they assisted a candidate for Eagle Scout with his project in addition to knowing that mercury has been eliminated from the waste stream and properly disposed of.

The two collections are:

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. Rhode Island banned the sale of mercury thermometers as of January 1, 2002

Help to safely dispose of mercury by bringing mercury fever thermometer or thermostats to one of the free collection dates.

Directions
Mercury Collections in Cranston, Rhode Island

Fire Station is located at 301 Pontiac Avenue behind City Hall in Cranston, RI 02910

From Points South of Cranston
RT-95 North
take Exit 16 RI-10 towards Cranston
Keep right at the fork in the ramp
Turn Right onto Elmwood Avenue / US-1
Turn right onto RI-12 / Park Avenue
Turn right onto Pontiac Avenue

From points North of Cranston
RT-95 South
Exit 16 RI-10
First exit Reservoir Avenue / RI-2 towards Cranston
Turn left onto RI-12 / Park Avenue
Turn left onto Pontiac Avenue