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Notice of Use Privacy and Security Notice
To get the quickest response to your question, check out the existing questions and answers on the mercury frequent questions page. Don't see the answer to your question? You can submit a question using the "Ask a Question" tab on the mercury frequent questions page. Note that while we strive to respond to every question submitted with an answer or an appropriate referral as quickly as possible, responses can take some time. So before you use the "Ask a Question" tab, see the information below.
Information from other EPA, federal, state and local agency sources
Is your question about…
- compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)? Visit the Energy Star program's frequent questions pages about CFLs and mercury or about CFLs or call the ENERGY STAR Hotline at (888) STAR-YES (888-782-7937) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Eastern Time.
- commenting or reading comments on a proposed rule? If so, go directly to regulations.gov, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
- the use of mercury-containing thimerosal in vaccines? While EPA has some information on thimerosal, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is the chief federal government agency responsible for regulating vaccines in the U.S. and therefore provides more detailed information on this subject. Read FDA's frequent questions and answers about thimerosal .
- mercury exposures in your workplace?
- The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which issues health standards in the workplace, has information on their Web site about OSHA standards that apply to mercury. Also, from OSHA's Contact Us page, you can report unsafe working conditions and safety and health violations.
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has adopted permissible limits for long-term and short-term exposures to mercury. You can view more information about these limits on NIOSH's pocket guides to hazards posed by mercury.
- The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which issues health standards in the workplace, has information on their Web site about OSHA standards that apply to mercury. Also, from OSHA's Contact Us page, you can report unsafe working conditions and safety and health violations.
- recycling and disposing of mercury, CFLs, or other mercury-containing products? Counties and municipalities can give you guidance about how they recycle and dispose of batteries, bulbs, thermostats and other products that may contain mercury.
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To find information about your county's or municipality's household hazardous waste programs, visit
- EPA's Web page on where to take your used fluorescent light bulbs, including compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), and other mercury-containing wastes, or
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earth911.org
(enter "mercury" and your zip code at the top of the page).
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Recycling thermostats? Contact your local household hazardous waste program (see the bullet immediately above this one). If they are unable to take your thermostat, you can contact the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) , which facilitates the collection by heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) wholesalers from contractors of all brands of used, wall-mounted mercury-switch thermostats so that the mercury can be purified for re-use. You can call 800-238-8192 to find an HVAC wholesale outlet or HVAC contractor in your area that will take the thermostat bulbs.
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To find information about your county's or municipality's household hazardous waste programs, visit
- No household hazardous waste program in your county? Try contacting your state environmental agency. EPA has a list of state environmental agencies with links to their Web sites.
Please bear in mind that we cannot provide answers to certain types of requests (e.g., commercial endorsements). Comments on specific EPA programs will be forwarded to the responsible office within the Agency.