Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: May 24, 2007

HEALTH Announces Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program on May 26
to Protect Health and Prevent Pollution

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) announces a Mercury Thermometer Exchange & Thermostat Disposal Program to be held in Cranston on Saturday, May 26, 2007, in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Cranston Fire Department.

People are encouraged to trade in their old mercury fever thermometers for Free Digital Thermometers (one per family while supplies last). People are asked to bring their mercury thermometers in their original container or a plastic ziploc bag.

Mercury-containing thermostats and other mercury-containing devices will also be accepted. However, no new thermostats are offered in exchange at this time. The Exchange Program is for residential materials only.

The Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2007 at the Cranston Fire Department, 160 Sockanosset Cross Road, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Cranston public schools will provide outreach and translation to the non-English speaking Hispanic and Cambodian participants.

Accidental mercury releases from broken mercury thermometers and mercury-containing thermostats in the home present a health risk. 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 harmful amounts of mercury by breathing fumes from spilled mercury, eating contaminated fish frequently, or touching spilled mercury.

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