Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: July 3, 2002
Contact: Sherri L. Curria, Environmental Health Risk Assessment, 222-3425

HEALTH Reports on Successful Mercury Thermometer Collection; Over 400 Mercury-Containing Items Turned In

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 collected over 400 mercury containing items on Saturday, June 8, 2002. All participants received a Free $5 CVS ExtraBucks Coupon for trading in mercury fever thermometers, residential thermostats, and other mercury-laden residential devices.

Accidental mercury releases from broken mercury thermometers and thermostats in the home pollute the environment and present a health risk. When mercury-containing products are broken or thrown in the trash, outdoors or down the drain, the mercury gets into the environment and contaminates many kinds of fish. Breathing fumes, eating contaminated fish or touching spilled mercury exposes people to its harmful effects. Preventive state legislation banned the sale of mercury fever thermometers as of January 1, 2002. The collection program aims to get mercury-containing products out of circulation, safely and before contamination occurs.

For more information on the legislation search the RI General laws web site for the Mercury Reduction and Education Act at:
www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law01/law01234.htm

For more information about mercury and health go to Health Topic: Mercury