Stay Informed!

Notice: Undefined variable: Miscellaneous1 in /var/www/vhosts/solutionmedia.net/httpdocstemplates/BJ-detContent.php on line 13

Back to List

State prepares for collection, recycling of mercury thermostats

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., said today that programs are being set up to collect and recycle mercury thermostats in accordance with a state law that takes effect in December.

Josephs said that under the law, manufacturers who have sold mercury thermostats in Pennsylvania are required to set up collection points for recycling out-of-service mercury thermostats. The state Department of Environmental Protection recently has approved two plans: one from Thermostat Recycling Corp. and another from EWC Controls Inc.

"Mercury is highly toxic to humans, ecosystems and wildlife. When a mercury thermostat is thrown away, it can get broken, which can release the mercury into the air, soil or groundwater," Josephs said. "This new law is designed to ensure proper disposal of the thermostats. It will go a long way in reducing the amount of mercury released into the environment."

A single mercury thermostat contains approximately 4 grams of mercury. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that, each year, 6 to 8 tons of mercury end up in solid waste facilities and as much as 2 tons are released into the air.

Josephs said that the most significant source of human mercury exposure in the United States is from eating mercury-contaminated fish. And, as many as 10 percent of women of childbearing age in the U.S. have a high enough mercury level in their blood to put at risk the healthy outcome of a pregnancy.

In 2007, Josephs introduced a resolution asking the federal government to prohibit the sale, distribution or transfer of elemental mercury in the United States, as well as its export, and to establish sufficient storage capacity for the metal and set storage regulations.

Josephs said there will be no cost to homeowners or contractors for the collection or recycling of the thermostats. According to the law, wholesalers in the state must be collection points. In addition, retailers and contractors also either must participate as collection points or inform customers about the recycling and identify nearby collection points.

"This program is just a continuation of the state's efforts to protect the public and the environment," Josephs said.

Hazardous waste programs already exist for recycling thermometers and compact fluorescent lighting that contain mercury, among others. For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us or call DEP's Bureau of Waste Management at 717-787-6239.