Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: June 5, 2006
Contact: Robert Vanderslice, PhD (401) 222-7766
Maria Wah-Fitta (401) 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 on Saturday, June 10, 2006, in partnership with: the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Warwick Fire Department.

Trade in your old mercury fever thermometers and receive a Free Digital Thermometer (one per family while supplies last). Mercury containing thermostats and other mercury containing devices will also be accepted. However, NO thermostats are offered in exchange at this time. Residential materials ONLY. Bring the thermometer in its original container or a plastic ziploc bag.

The time and location are:

Saturday, June 10, 2006
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Warwick Fire Department
140 Veterans Memorial Drive,
Warwick, RI

Accidental mercury releases from broken mercury thermometers and mercury-containing 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 trading in your old mercury fever thermometers or mercury-containing thermostats to the free disposal site and receive a free digital thermometer (one per family while supplies last).

To learn more about Mercury go to http://www.health.ri.gov/topics/mercury.php