MERCURY

Most of us are familiar with mercury thermometers, but we should also be aware that mercury is contained in many other products we use in and around our homes, including batteries, auto parts, batteries, fluorescent bulbs and thermostats.

Disposing of these products through landfilling or incineration increases the incidence of mercury in our environment.

Mercury is a potent toxin; heavy exposure can lead to serious neurological damage and death. While it is a naturally-occurring metal, human activity has dramatically increased the amount of mercury in our environment.

Just one gram of mercury - roughly the amount contained in one switch used to trigger lights when car hoods are opened - is enough to contaminate an eight-hectare lake.

Mercury in water can accumulate in fish and enter the food chain. This is a big problem because mercury is easily absorbed through the skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal tissues. It can affect the brain, liver and kidneys, and cause developmental disorders in children. Young children and developing fetuses are at most risk.

Next to fish consumption, the main pathway of mercury exposure is the air inside our homes when mercury-containing thermometers and thermostats get broken.

Conserving Energy

We can't control a coal-fired power plant from inside our homes … or can we? In fact, we can by reducing our energy consumption and lessening the need for all forms of electricity. This also leads to less mercury in our environment.

All of the usual energy conservation tips apply (see link).

Use Fewer Mercury-containing Products

Consumers often have a choice to forego mercury-containing products in favour of mercury-free alternatives. Environment Canada has an excellent web page identifying these alternatives - here

As one exception to the rule, fluorescent bulbs contain traces of mercury but they use less energy and are therefore a better choice than incandescent bulbs because of their energy savings. Just be sure to recycle fluorescent bulbs properly.

Disposal of Products Containing Mercury

Here are tips on how to dispose of some common products that contain mercury:

• Batteries: Alkaline batteries should be taken to your local household hazardous waste depot (contact your municipality). Keep them with your other hazardous waste, such as paint cans, so you can drop off all of the materials at once.
• Thermostats: Honeywell has a program for taking the mercury from thermostats to produce new ones. Ask your thermostat retailer if they participate in Honeywell's take-back program.
• Thermometers: Old and broken thermometers should be saved in a secure closed container and taken to your local household hazardous waste depot (contact your municipality).
• Mercury switches: If possible, remove mercury switches from appliances or vehicles and store them in a covered container with the contents clearly marked. If you can't find the switch, appliance or vehicle repair people usually can. Get them to remove the switch for you. Arrange to have mercury switches collected by a certified carrier for transport to a recycling company that accepts products containing mercury.

Send Your Old Car to Heaven

The Clean Air Foundation's Car Heaven program is a great way to ensure that your old car is recycled in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Here's a link - www.carheaven.ca.

By retiring your car with Car Heaven, you're not only making sure the mercury in mercury switches stays out of the environment, but you'll also be reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, carbon monoxide and smog-causing pollutants.

Car Heaven raises money for a variety of Canadian charities, just one more reason to ensure the best environmental afterlife for your old car.