Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: April 11, 2008

HEALTH Announces Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program on April 19 to Protect Health and Prevent Pollution

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) announces a Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program to be held in Cranston on Saturday, April 19, 2008, in partnership with CVS/pharmacy, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC), and the Cranston Fire Department. 

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, April 19, 2008 at the Cranston Fire Department, 160 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston, from 10:00 am to 2:00 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