Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: November 6, 2007

HEALTH Announces Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program on November 10 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 East Providence (Rumford) on Saturday, November 10, 2007, in partnership with CVS/pharmacy, the East Providence Fire Department, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC). 

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, November 10, 2007 at the East Providence (Rumford) Fire Department, 30 North Broadway, East Providence, 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