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Where You Live
Information for...
Mercury can be found most anywhere. On this page, you will find resources about mercury where you live - your home and community, your state and region, and your world.
Your Home
and Community
Your State and Region
Your Home and Community
These links have information about mercury in your home and your community. For related information about mercury in schools, please visit the Consumers and Schools section of this Web site.
What should I do if I have a mercury spill? - Information about what to do if you spill mercury, how to clean up and dispose the mercury. All mercury spills, regardless of quantity, should be treated seriously.
Addressing Indoor Environmental Concerns During Remodeling - Many water-based paints (even interior paints) used mercury as a preservative until its use was discontinued in 1991. Any paint that contains mercury should not be used indoors. Evaluate any existing stock of paint and properly dispose of paints containing lead or mercury.
Tox Town - The world's largest medical library, the US National Library of Medicine, a part of the National Institutes of Health, has developed an introductory Web site about toxic chemicals and environmental health risks such as mercury, lead, and asbestos in the towns and cities where you live.
Ritual Use of Mercury - Persons who use metallic mercury in ethnic folk medicine and for religious practices may be at risk of exposure to mercury. Metallic mercury is sold under the name "azogue"in stores (sometimes called botanicas), which specialize in religious items used in Esperitismo (a spiritual belief system native to Puerto Rico), Santeria (a Cuban-based religion that venerates both African deities and Catholic saints), and voodoo. The use of azogue in religious practices is recommended in some Hispanic communities by family members, spiritualists, card readers, and santeros. Typically, azogue is carried on one's person in a sealed pouch prepared by a spiritual leader or sprinkled in the home or automobile.
Your State and Region
EPA has ten regional offices, each of which is responsible for several states and territories. To get information about your part of the nation, select a region by clicking within the area of the map covered by the region. You can also click on the links to state agencies located below the map.
State Fish Advisories - advisories available from EPA's Fish Advisories Web site.
State Medical/Dental Waste Programs - Currently, various states have legislation or other types of programs in place that are focusing on mercury in medical facilities. These programs include mercury management and reduction strategies such as identifying and purchasing alternative products and materials with less or no mercury, recycling mercury and mercury-containing products and devices, and training. Many states are undertaking both regulatory and non-regulatory activities to ensure proper management of mercury-containing dental amalgam.
State Car Switch Programs - A number of state regulatory agencies have raised concerns regarding the use of mercury switches in automobiles and have taken steps to address this problem through legislative efforts, pilot projects and outreach campaigns.
State and Local Collection/Recycling/Exchange Programs - Many states and local agencies have developed collection/exchange programs for mercury-containing devices, such as thermometers, manometers, and thermostats. Many states and counties also have recycling programs for fluorescent light bulbs.
State School Programs - These school programs are aimed at increasing/promoting mercury recycling, improving mercury management in schools and educating teachers and students about mercury.
State Legislation and Regulations - Many states have enacted legislation, regulations, and/or drafted bills outlining rules, guidelines and standards establishing limits of total mercury in products and applications.