Mercury in Consumer Products
- How to safely handle and store it
- How to safely throw it away when you no longer need it
- What to do if the mercury spills from a product such as a CFL or thermometer when it breaks
You should also be aware of products that contain mercury and are not safe for use. Some skin lightening creams, for example, contain mercury and should not be used.
EPA encourages consumers to consider alternatives to products that contain mercury. For example, digital non-mercury thermometers are a safer alternative to mercury thermometers.
List of Common Consumer Products that Contain Mercury
The following products may contain mercury. Unless otherwise noted these products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers if they contain mercury. Consult your local or state collection program.
Antiques
Some antiques such as barometers, clock pendulums, mirrors, vases and organs contain mercury.
- Inspect each item thoroughly for cracks or leaks.
- If possible, replace mercury-containing components.
- When moving them, handle them with care to prevent the mercury from spilling.
- Keep them outside of the reach of children.
- Mercury is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, so know about applicable shipping laws before you ship.
More information:
- Northeast Waste Management Officials Association: Antiques
- 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report on releases of elemental mercury from antique clocks, barometers and mirrors
Appliances
Older model electric appliances including chest freezers, space heaters, clothes dryers, clothes irons and washing machines may contain mercury switches that turn the device on or off, or turn a light on or off. When disposing of larger appliances, either contact your state or local household hazardous waste collection center for advice on recycling or disposal, or contact a local appliance recycler.
Gas-fired appliances, including ovens, water heaters, furnaces, poll heaters, and appliances in some recreational vehicles, may contain mercury. Older models may have pilot light sensors containing mercury. If you do not know if an appliance contains mercury, contact the manufacturer.
Automotive parts
Cars manufactured before 2003 may contain mercury switches or relays.
Switches are products or devices that open or close an electrical circuit, or a liquid or gas valve. They are used in trunks and hoods, heated car rear windows, acceleration sensors for air bags and seatbelts and anti-lock braking systems. Automotive relays are products or devices that open or close electrical contacts to control the operation of other devices in the same or another electrical circuit.
These switches and relays need to be properly removed by dismantlers.
Wheel balancers on trucks, motorhomes, and motorcycles installed behind the vehicles' wheel assemblies may also contain mercury. Send discarded items to the manufacturer for recycling.
For more information:
- View EPA's Smart Sectors Mercury Switch Recovery Program page about the latest status of the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program.
- Search EPA's archive for older information about the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program Search EPA Archive
- End of Life Vehicle Solutions website
- Northeast Waste Management Officials Association: Mercury Use in Switches and Relays (PDF)
Barometers
There is a risk of the mercury spilling if the unit is broken or handled improperly.
Batteries
Not all batteries contain mercury and need to be recycled. See the Mercury in Batteries page for more information.
Dental amalgam
See the Mercury in Dental Amalgam page.
Electronics
Mercury is used in LCD screens and monitors. It is also used in laptop screen shutoffs. Televisions manufactured before 1991 may also contain mercury switches. These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers.
Jewelry
Some jewelry, mostly imported from Mexico, contains liquid elemental (metallic) mercury encased in glass. If the glass breaks, the mercury can spill.
Light bulbs
Includes fluorescent bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, ultraviolet lamps, neon lights. See the CFL light bulbs website.
Medical equipment and pharmaceuticals
Mercury is used -- usually in very small amounts as a preservative or antibacterial agent -- in a number of over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceutical products. These include: antibiotics; blood pressure cuffs; contact lens solution; dental amalgam; diuretics; ear and eye drops; eye ointment; hemorrhoid relief ointment; Mercurochrome; nasal spray; and thermometers.
Most of these can be put in the regular trash and require no special handling. For prescription medications, follow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guidance on disposal of unused medicines.
More information:
Skin cream
Most skin creams do not contain mercury compounds. Those that do are generally imported from outside the United States and are sold as skin lightening or freckle creams. Do not use of skin cream that contains mercury as this can lead to skin rashes or poisoning because mercury can be absorbed through the skin.
Sporting equipment
The recoil suppressor unit of rifles may contain mercury to absorb and dampen shock. Mercury is also used in stabilizers in archery bows, and in switches in fishing tip-up lights.
Thermometers
See the Mercury Thermometers page.
Thermostats
Mercury thermostats are unlikely to break or leak mercury while is use, but they need to be properly disposed of when being replaced. Old thermostats should be taken to a state or local household hazardous waste collection center for recycling. Non-mercury thermostats are commercially available.
- Thermostat Recycling Corporation
- Northeast Waste Management Officials Association: Mercury Use in Thermostats (PDF)
- The Product Stewardship Institute's best practices guide LESSONS LEARNED: Voluntary Mercury Thermostat Take Back Programs (pdf)
- 2011 fact sheet "Before You Tear it Down, Get the Mercury Out: Recommended Management Practices for Pre-Demolition Removal of Mercury-Containing Devices from Residential Buildings" -- addresses pre-demolition removal of:
- mercury-containing gas pressure regulators,
- mercury-containing boiler heating systems/Honeywell heat generators, and
- thermostats.
Vaccines
See the Mercury in Thimerosal Vaccines page.
How to Recycle and Dispose of Items that Contain Mercury
Information for Consumers
Please recycle mercury-containing products rather than disposing of them in regular household trash. Recycling mercury-containing products is one of the best ways to help prevent mercury releases to the environment by keeping these products out of landfills and incinerators. Once landfilled, mercury from the products may end up in groundwater, and potentially in sources of drinking water. Once incinerated, mercury may end up in the air.
Many states and local agencies have developed collection/exchange programs for mercury-containing devices such as thermometers, manometers, and thermostats. Some counties and cities also have household hazardous waste collection programs. For information about these programs, contact your local officials to find out when and where a collection will be held in your area.
- Storing, transporting and disposing of mercury in your home
- Search on Earth911.com for recycling and disposal options using your zip code or address, city and state
- Recycling and disposal after a CFL burns out
Information for Businesses and Industries
Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, some widely generated hazardous wastes, including mercury-containing wastes like mercury-containing light bulbs, certain spent batteries, thermostats, barometers, manometers, temperature and pressure gauges, and certain switches, are designated as "universal wastes." Businesses and industries that qualify as universal waste handlers must follow specific requirements for storing, transporting and disposing of these wastes. Households are exempt from these regulations.
Note that some states and local jurisdictions have elected to pass regulations that are more stringent than the federal hazardous waste regulations. Several states and municipalities do not recognize the exemption for households; others regulate all fluorescent bulbs as hazardous, regardless of their mercury content. For example, Vermont bans all mercury-containing waste from landfills, including mercury-containing waste generated by households.
Additional Resources
- 2011 fact sheet "Before You Tear it Down, Get the Mercury Out: Recommended Management Practices for Pre-Demolition Removal of Mercury-Containing Devices from Residential Buildings" -- addresses pre-demolition removal of mercury-containing gas pressure regulators, mercury-containing boiler heating systems, and thermostats.