Recycling: Batteries, compact fluorescent bulbs, electronics, thermostat and vehicle switches

1. Recycling: Batteries, compact fluorescent bulbs, electronics, thermostat and vehicle switches Prevent the Release of Mercury into the Environment By: David McEwen

2. Audience • Adults • Local and Tribal Governments • County Sanitarians • Schools

3. Learning objectives • Identify sources of mercury • Educate audience on consequences of mercury exposure • Educate audience on what is being done to prevent mercury release into the environment • Educate audience on what they can do to prevent the release of mercury into the environment

4. Basic Info on mercury • Occurs naturally in air, water, and soil • Found in consumer products such as: thermometers, thermostats, vehicle switches, batteries, compact florescent bulbs • Burning of coal produces 40 percent of all domestic human caused mercury emissions ( • Mercury released into the environment gets deposited into the soil and water • Can be transformed into methyl mercury by certain organisms. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009

5. Basic Info continued • Methyl-mercury is a highly toxic form or mercury that builds up in fish, shellfish, and animals that eat fish, including humans • Humans can also be exposed to mercury in the form of vapor, however, this is a less common exposure route U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009

6. Health effects of mercury • High level mercury exposure results in harm to: the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system of people of all ages • Fish consumption is generally not a concern • High blood mercury levels in the blood of unborn babies and young children is of particular concern because mercury can have a significant adverse effect on the developing nervous system U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009

7. Ecological effects of mercury • In water ecosystems, birds and mammals that eat fish are more exposed to mercury than other animals that dwell in the water. • Predators that eat fish eating animals are subsequently exposed to high levels of mercury • The harmful effects of methylmercury on such animals include: death, reduced reproduction, slower growth and development, and abnormal behavior U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009

8. EPA’s role in mercury reduction • Regulations controlling industrial release of mercury into the air, land, and water • Regulations dictating the proper methods for treatment and disposal of waste containing mercury • Works with industry to voluntarily reduce mercury use and release • Works with state, tribal, and local governments to develop and improve mercury reduction programs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009

9. Role of the public in mercury reduciton • Purchase mercury free products • Correctly dispose of products containing mercury • In essence, reduce the demand for mercury containing products.

10. Recycling for mercury reduction • Batteries • Florescent bulbs • Thermostat/thermometers • electronics

11. Batteries • Alkaline batteries were of concern because they contained mercury, But this is not a concern with batteries manufactured today • They are, however, a concern for their corrosive properties • There are no local or state programs for recycling of alkaline batteries, however, businesses, households, and recycling centers can participate in fee-for-service programs Montana Department of Environmental Quality, 2009

12. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs • Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL’s) are very popular for their energy efficiency • However, they contain a small amount of mercury which can be released into the environment • In order to reduce mercury emissions, the Montana Department of environmental quality urges schools and local and tribal governments to take advantage of a state term contract with Veolia environmental services Montana Department of Environmental Quality, 2009

13. Electronics • Electronics such as computers contain trace amounts of non-toxic and toxic chemicals such as mercury. • Although they contain trace amounts, the cumulative effect can be substantial • In order to keep electronics out of landfills and reduce mercury release, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality works with communities and businesses across the state to organize recycling events Montana Department of Environmental Quality, 2009

14. Thermostats • Newer thermostats do not contain mercury • However, many homes are equipped with older mercury containing thermostats • The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has partnered with county sanitarians so residents and businesses can recycle such thermostats for free • In addition, local low-income weatherization contractors are trained to remove and handle mercury containing thermostats, which are then replaced by non-mercury containing thermostats Montana Department of Environmental Quality, 2009

15. Conclusion • Mercury is naturally occurring in the environments but man has a substantial part in the release of mercury into the environment • The public can play a part by recognizing the importance of taking part in recycling of products such as CFL’s, batteries, electronics, and thermostats. • The public can also reduce mercury release by influencing the demand for such products

16. references • Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. (2009). Mercury. Retrieved July 2, 2009, from http://deq.mt.gov/Recycle/Mercury.asp#Therm o • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Mercury: Basic information. Retrieved July 2, 2009, from http://www.epa.gov/mercury/about.htm

17. Further Reading • EPA Safe Mercury Management • EPA Mercury Home • Mercury: Table of Contents - Peaks to Prairies Pollution Prevention Information Center U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009

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