MERCURY REDUCTION
Many of the spills that occur on campus during and after work hours involve the spill of mercury. The source of mercury is mainly from thermometers or other mercury containing equipment. Mercury is a highly toxic element that is persistent in our environment and primarily route in humans is ingestion of contaminated fish and wildlife at the top of the food chains. Connecticut's rivers and watersheds have been identified to have significant mercury contamination and limitations on fish and shell fish consumption.
The expense for calling in emergency responders off hours and the expense of disposing of spill clean up material can be in the tens of thousands of dollars over the course of the year. For the last decade, a program has been implemented through Environmental Health and Safety in efforts to reduce the number of mercury spills and the generation of mercury contaminated hazardous waste. For every one mercury-containing thermometer that is returned to the Medical Stockroom or the Chemical Stockroom, the lab personnel will receive a free red spirit thermometer (-20C to 110C in 1 gradients). Tests conducted show that the model of red spirit thermometer used in the exchange program equals or exceed the accuracy and precision of ordinary mercury thermometers. Over 2000 thermometers have successfully been removed from campus and safely disposed.
In addition, EHS has worked with many departments and conducted cost benefit analysis for aging or unneeded mercury containing devices such as manometers and mercury containing thermostats. These efforts have resulted in a large reduction of mercury containing equipment on campus.
Additional Mercury Information:
