Mercury Thermometer Exchange Ushers in Pollution Prevention Week
The City of Melbourne is participating in the county-wide mercury thermometer exchange program during National Pollution Prevention Awareness Week, which takes place Sept. 18 - Sept. 23, 2000. During the week, residents can exchange their old mercury thermometers with a free mercury-free digital thermometer at participating locations.
The goal of the program is to reduce the amount of mercury that contributes to contaminating the groundwater and surface water supplies. Mercury from improperly discarded thermometers in the regular trash can pose serious problems. It is widely recognized that elemental mercury and mercury compounds are hazardous to human health. Just the amount of mercury found in one household thermometer can pollute five million gallons of water.
Mercury from improperly discarded thermometers can break down into various mercury compounds once exposed to the atmosphere. When this occurs the mercury compounds become readily absorbed by fish and wildlife. The mercury contamination is then passed up the food chain to human beings when the fish and wildlife become part of the food supply. Exposure to mercury contaminated food in human beings can cause potential brain and nervous system damage especially to unborn fetuses and children. Long-term, high-level exposure can result in death.
Eliminating even small amounts of mercury has a beneficial effect on the environment and reduces the potential for human mercury poisoning. The mercury thermometer exchange is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Brevard County Solid Waste and Natural Resources Department, the City of Melbourne and other local municipalities and area pharmacies.
For more information about the program, please contact Randy Greer, the City's Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator, at (321) 255-4619.
Below is a listing of participating exchange locations in Melbourne and South Brevard: