Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: November 26, 2004
Contact: Robert Vanderslice, PhD 222-7766 or 623-0461
Maria Wah-Fitta 222-3998

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

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) announces a Mercury Thermometer & Thermostat Exchange to be held at 2 locations on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4, 2004, in partnership with: the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), the Regional Poison Center, the Pawtucket Fire Department, the Woonsocket Fire Department, and New England Gas Company.

Participants will receive a Free Digital Thermometer (one per family while supplies last) by trading in your old mercury fever thermometer or mercury home thermostat. Residential materials ONLY. Bring the thermometer in its original container or a plastic ziploc bag to one of the following locations:

Friday, December 3, 2004

Pawtucket Fire Department
301 Smithfield Avenue
8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Saturday, December 4, 2004

Pawtucket Fire Department
301 Smithfield Avenue
8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Woonsocket Fire Department
5 Cumberland Hill Road
9:00 am – 1:00 pm

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. 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 thermometers or thermostats to one of the free disposal sites and receive a free digital thermometer (one per family while supplies last).