Home |  Search |  Departments

Don’t Mess With Mercury                
 

Why is mercury a problem?		Program Elements
When mercury seeps into lakes and waterways, it undergoes a natural chemical process and is converted to a more deadly form - methyl mercury. Local water ways are susceptible to contamination by mercury-an element used in many household items, which is also a potent human nerve toxin. When disposed of improperly, it contaminates the food chain by building up in the tissue of fish and animals including those we eat. Because of toxic chemicals sometimes found in fish, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment issues a Fish Consumption Advisory for fish consumed out of the San Francisco Bay and Delta. Humans are at risk when they consume fish and wildlife from areas impacted by mercury or when they breathe vapors from liquid mercury.		Public Outreach Business Industrial Construction Low Impact Development Mercury
		Related Programs
		Household Hazard Waste Disposal Our Water Our World
		Contact Us
What is elemental mercury?		Cynthia G. Madrid Stormwater Program Phone:  (209) 468-3073 Email: cgmadrid@sjgov.org
Elemental, or metallic, mercury is the shiny, silver-gray metal found in thermometers, barometers, thermostats and other electrical switches. Mercury can break into droplets when spilled, spread easily, and can build up in tiny cracks and spaces wherever it is spilled.

Ways you can help!

	MERCURY IN HOMES Properly identify and dispose of mercury containing items as hazardous waste Visit the EPA’s site for Consumers California Integrated Waste Management: Waste Prevention Information Exchange	UPDATE: As of February 9, 2006, state law mandates that you can no longer legally dispose of the following items in the garbage: - All fluorescent lamps and tubes - All batteries - All electronic devices (computers, TVs and others) - All thermostats containing mercury Proper disposal of these items will help protect and preserve our environment now and for generations to come. For more information, please visit www.zerowaste.ca.gov
Charlie Schuck / Getty Images	MERCURY IN THE ENVIRONMENT Outreach targeting those who eat fish and seafood caught in the Delta watershed or consume commercially caught fish and seafood. Visit the EPA’s site for Fish Consumption Advisories Total Maximum Daily Load Program
	MERCURY IN BUSINESS If you are a small quantity generator, see the Household Hazardous Waste Small Business Program Visit the EPA’s site for Business and Industry California Department of Toxic Control Substances: Mercury Waste

 Important Mercury Facts
 

·     Mercury is also known as quicksilver because of its silvery color, and reflective metallic nature.

·         Elemental mercury is a liquid at room temperature.

·         It is the “invisible” vapors of mercury that are the true hazard.

·         Just playing with mercury one time can contaminate the body, clothes, and property to the point they cannot be decontaminated. One drop of mercury can impair an entire lake.

·         High levels of Mercury poisoning in children can affect their health forever.

·         A teaspoon of mercury not cleaned up properly can contaminate a house so that it is no longer inhabitable. Vacuuming or sweeping a mercury spill can create approximately 10 times more hazardous mercury vapors than cleaning it properly.

·         Once mercury hits the ground it breaks up into microscopic beads that you may not even see.

For more information visit:  http://www.dontmesswithmercury.org/