Mercury Products

Mercury is Hazardous to Your Health

Mercury is a naturally occurring element. This silver-colored liquid metal can be found in rocks, soil and the ocean. Mercury can be released into the environment through natural processes when volcanoes erupt, rocks erode and soil decomposes.

Mercury is Toxic to People

Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin that affects every aspect of brain and nerve function. It can cause tremors, memory loss, mental impairment and many other complications in the nervous system. Mercury is especially dangerous to the developing fetus as it impairs brain development, resulting in lowered intelligence and other brain deficits.

Mercury is Toxic to the Environment

Bacteria from river and estuary bottom sediments convert mercury into its highly toxic form through a process called "methylation." This methylated mercury accumulates in aquatic organisms, making the fish from those bodies of water dangerous to eat.

Mercury can be found in numerous common consumer products:

• HID Lights
• Computers
• Batteries
• Fluorescent Light Bulbs
• Thermometers
• Auto Parts
• Cell Phones
• Pesticides
• Fungicide in Some Paints
• Topical Antiseptics

MERCURY DISPOSAL SYSTEMS (MDS) (877) 782-7261 THERMOSTATS The Thermostat Recycling Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation owned by three NEMA member companies, facilitates the collection by HVAC wholesalers from contractors of all brands of used, wall-mounted mercury-switch thermostats so that the mercury can be purified for re-use TRC Application. Local HVAC Mercury Recyclers: Baker Distributing Co., 1295 N. Emerald Ave., Modesto, 524-7536, rborba@bakerdist.com