Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: June 18, 2007 

HEALTH Announces Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program on June 23 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 Wakefield on Saturday, June 23, 2007, in partnership with CVS/pharmacy, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and the Union Fire District of South Kingstown. 

People are encouraged to trade in their old mercury fever thermometers for a Free CVS/pharmacy Extra Bucks $5.00 Coupon (one per participant per drop off, 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 digital thermometers or thermostats are offered during this exchange.  The Exchange Program is for residential materials only.

The Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Union Fire District of South Kingstown (Forest Fire Dept., Station #3, located behind Benny’s), 36 School Street, Wakefield, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

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