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Table of Products That May Contain Mercury and Recommended Management Options
Mercury-Containing Products
On this page, you'll find:
Consumer Products Commercial Products For Additional InformationMercury can be found in various consumer and commercial products. Examples of product types that may contain mercury are found in the product list below. When a mercury-containing product breaks and the mercury is spilled, the exposed mercury can evaporate and become an invisible, odorless toxic vapor. Some of these products such as mercury-containing thermometers can break easily and spill mercury. To prevent mercury releases, these products should be used and stored safely, and managed properly at the end of their useful lives. Most states and localities have household hazardous waste collection and exchange programs for mercury-containing devices.
Many other products, however, such as mercury switches in appliances, are unlikely to break until the products are disposed of, and therefore present little spillage hazard in people's homes. The product list below includes recommended tips for safe end-of-life management to prevent mercury releases. The list also includes information on older products, such as certain latex interior and exterior paints, which used to contain mercury, but now do not.
In most cases, non-mercury alternatives exist for mercury-containing products. See the list of non-mercury alternative product Web sites below for more information. You can also view the state legislation page for a list of mercury-related state legislation and regulations. Some states ban the sale of certain mercury-containing items, for example, thermometers and thermostats.
Please note that the product list is not complete and that not all brands of the listed items contain mercury. Please check with individual manufacturers or view the Web sites listed in the "Additional Product Links " section below for additional mercury-containing products and for information on non-mercury alternative products. Finally, labeling laws in some states may aid you in identifying which products contain mercury. Some states, such as Connecticut and Maryland, passed laws requiring manufacturers selling products in those states to label those products containing mercury.
Consumer Products: Home Items |
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| Product Type | Source /Purpose of Mercury | Spill Risk / Recommended Management |
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Airflow/fan limit controls |
Source: Mercury tilt switches are inside
the controls. The switches are small tubes with electrical contacts at one
end of the tubes.
Purpose: When the tube is tilted, the mercury flows to either end, cutting off the circuit on one end, while opening it on the other side. They often function as on/off switches. |
Spill Risk: None, if units are intact. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
|
Antiques*:
* View more information about mercury-containing antiques from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and from the State of Connecticut. |
Antique Barometers Source: See photos Purpose: A change in the level of the mercury indicates the passage of a high or low pressure front above your area, and a corresponding change in weather. Antique Clock Pendulums Source: Many of the early-to-mid 1800 French crystal regulator clocks were fitted with mercury compensated pendulums. Purpose: The pendulums were designed to compensate for temperature variations and to keep the center of oscillation constant. Antique Mirrors Source: See photo (PDF) (4 pp, 117K, About PDF) Purpose: To add a reflecting layer. Antique Organs Source: A mercury manometer is connected to the
bellows. Air is sent from the bellows, causing the reeds to vibrate and
making a sound. Learn more about antique
organs Purpose: The manometer regulates the pressure of air from the bellows. |
Antique Barometers Spill Risk: Yes, during shipment or if broken. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. Antique Clock Pendulums Spill Risk: Yes. As a result of rough handling or dropping, the vials may break. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. Antique Mirrors Spill Risk: Yes, during transport or resurfacing. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken.Antique Organs Spill Risk: None, if units are intact. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
|
Appliances (Electric)*:
* These items are no longer sold with mercury tilt switches. |
Washing Machines (Lids) Source: Mercury tilt switches, small tubes with electrical contacts at one end of the tubes, can be inside the lids. Purpose: When the tube inside the lid is tilted, the mercury flows to either end, cutting off the circuit on one end, while opening it on the other side. They often function as on-off switches. Chest Freezers Source: Mercury tilt switches may be in the lids. Purpose: Turn on convenience lights. Space Heaters Source: Tilt switches may be inside the heaters. Purpose: Shut off heaters if heaters tip over. |
Spill Risk: Yes, when appliances are shredded by scrap metal recyclers or crushed in landfills.
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Appliances (Gas fired)*:
*Mercury-containing thermostat probes may be found in several types of older gas-fired appliances that have pilot lights, such as ovens, water heaters, and furnaces. (This also applies to pool heaters and appliances in some recreational vehicles.) For more information, see Mercury Switches in Appliances: Final Report. If there is a question about the mercury content of a metal probe, obtain this information from the manufacturer. See also Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association's (NEWMOA) Interstate Mercury Education & Reduction Clearinghouse's Mercury-Added Products Database. |
Source: Pilot light sensors: Mercury-containing thermostat probes may be present as part of the safety valves that prevent gas flow if the pilot lights are not lit. The metal probe consists of a metal bulb and thin tube attached to a gas-control valve. The bulb of the probe projects into or near the pilot light. Purpose: The mercury inside the tube expands or contracts to open and shut the valve. |
Spill Risk: Yes, when appliances are shredded by scrap metal recyclers or crushed in landfills. Recommended Management: 1. Call your State/local household hazardous waste collection center for advice on recycling/disposal. 2. Call your local appliance recycler. |
| Top of List of Home Items | ||
|
Barometers |
Source: Elemental mercury is inside the barometer. Purpose: Serves as a measurement of atmospheric pressure. |
Spill Risk: None, if units are intact. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
|
Button cell batteries in some:
View more information about mercury-containing batteries on the Consumer Products: Related Links page. Also view Maine's report |
Source: Inside the battery cells. Manganese alkaline zinc air and silver oxide button cell batteries contain mercury. Lithium button cell batteries do not. Purpose: Mercury is found in protective film around zinc in the cells. Mercury prevents battery rupture from production of hydrogen gas. |
Spill Risk: None, if units are intact. Even with rough play and a toy breaking apart, it is extremely rare that a mercury-containing button cell battery would break open. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
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|
Clothes irons*: *No longer sold with mercury tilt switches. |
Source: Mercury tilt switches, small tubes with electrical contacts at one end of the tubes were used inside the irons. Purpose: When the tube is tilted, the mercury flows to either end cutting off the circuit on one end, while opening it on the other side. They often function as on/off switches. |
Spill Risk: None, if units are intact. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
|
Electronics:
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Purpose: Mercury in screens and monitors: Visible light is produced when the mercury is electrically energized. Mercury tilt switches in laptop screen shutoffs: When the laptop monitors are tilted, the mercury flows to either end cutting off the circuit on one end, while opening it on the other side. They often function as on/off switches. |
Spill Risk: None, if units are intact. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
|
Gas flow regulators*: * Installed before 1961. View Fact Sheet on Mercury Gas Regulators from EPA Region 7. |
Source: Some homes that were built prior to 1961 contain mercury regulators attached to the gas meters. These devices do not create spill risks while in service, but some mercury spills have occurred during removal. Purpose: Aids in maintaining pressure to regulate flow of natural gas. |
Spill Risk: Yes, exists during removal. Recommended Management: These devices should be removed only by qualified gas company personnel or trained plumbers. Contact your local gas company to ensure proper removal of these devices in homes that are to be demolished. In other homes, contact the gas company so that the devices will be removed properly when the meters need to be replaced. |
|
Heating and cooling systems View Mercury Alert for Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors Association from EPA Region 7. |
Source: Some units may contain mercury switches within the heating or cooling units. Purpose: Units contain thermostats for climate control devices and switches to start/shut off systems. |
Spill Risk: Yes, exists during unit repair or replacement or during disposal. Recommended Management: Consumers do not need to pull mercury switches from appliances. Appliance recyclers will, in most cases, do this work. |
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Jewelry*: * Certain necklaces imported from Mexico have glass pendants that contain mercury. The pendants come in various shapes such as hearts, bottles, balls, saber teeth, and chili-peppers. View information from the State of Washington |
Source: The mercury is a silver clump of liquid in the hollow glass pendant. Purpose: Ornamental |
Spill Risk: Yes, if glass vessels leak. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
|
Lamps/Light bulbs*:
*Over the past 20 years, the mercury content in lamps has declined steadily. They are however, among the few mercury-containing products for which non-mercury substitutes do not exist. |
Source: Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), fluorescent, germicidal, high-intensity discharge, ultraviolet lamps, and neon lights contain internal mercury vapor. The amount of mercury in lamps varies widely, depending on the type of lamp. Some fluorescent lamps have as little as 3.5 mg mercury, but some neon lights have as much as 100 mg. Purpose: Visible light is produced when the mercury is electrically energized. |
Spill Risk: Yes, exists if lamps are broken and when disposed. What to do if a fluorescent lamp breaks. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed. See Mercury-Containing Light Bulb (Lamp) Collection and Recycling Programs Where You Live.
|
Light switches*:
* Mercury light switches are sometimes encountered in older buildings. These switches were manufactured prior to 1991. These devices look like typical wall switches, but they do not make the audible "click" sound when activated. |
Source: Liquid mercury is in a metal encased glass button. Purpose: The mercury completes the electrical circuit when the switch is lifted up, submerging an electrical contact point and closing the circuit. |
Spill Risk: Yes, exists during removal. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
|
Mercury: Liquid elemental mercury*:
|
Source: Usually in jars or vials. Many people may also have containers of elemental mercury in their homes left over from science projects or from historic uses, such as gold panning. Purpose: Cultural use/other uses. Examples- Sprinkling mercury in homes and cars, burning mercury in candles, and mixing mercury with perfume. |
Spill Risk: Yes. Recommended Management: If you have elemental mercury in your home, you need to exercise extreme caution with it and package it to prevent any leaks or spills. Liquid elemental mercury needs to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
|
Paint (Latex)*: * Phenylmercuric acetate (PMA) was used in certain latex interior and exterior paints manufactured before 1992. In 1991, paints for exterior use which contained PMA were labeled. Some exterior paints also had an "analysis" statement which gave a breakdown of resin, pigment and additive content, including PMA. View information about addressing indoor environmental concerns during remodeling. |
Source: Chemical in paint. Purpose: Mercury was used as an agent to prevent bacterial growth. |
Spill Risk: Yes, for cans of liquid paint. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
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Pesticides*: * By 1995, all U.S. registrations for mercury-containing pesticides had been cancelled. |
Source: Mercury compounds in pesticides. Purpose: Mercury compounds were used as fungicides and as biocides. |
Spill Risk: None Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding waste pesticide collection programs. |
|
Plumbing:
|
Source: Mercury may be present in sewer pipes, sumps and sink traps from the past use of mercury, for example, in a chemistry set or used in a science project. The mercury may also have entered the pipes when items were broken, discarded or spilled in sinks. Mercury in plumbing can settle at a low point such as a sump or sink trap and remain in the plumbing for many years. Purpose : No purpose. Deposited over time. |
Spill Risk: Yes, exists during removal. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed by professionals. Contact your local or state health or environmental agency for information on qualified professionals. |
|
Security systems:
|
Source: Mercury tilt switches are in the systems. The switches are small tubes with electrical contacts at one end of the tubes. Purpose: When the tube is tilted, the mercury flows to either end cutting off the circuit on one end, while opening it on the other side. They often function as on/off switches. |
Spill Risk: None, if units are intact. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
|
Shoes*:
* No longer sold. |
Purpose: The liquid mercury triggers an electrical connection that activates a light. |
Spill Risk: None, if items are intact. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
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|
Sporting Equipment:*
|
Archery Bows Source: Mercury is in stabilizers of the 6 inch and 8 ounce, or 10 inch and 11 ounce "Neutralizer" models. Purpose: To stabilize bows. Fishing tip-up lights Source: Switches in lights. Purpose: Mercury switches indicate when fish are on the lines. Sporting gun recoil units Source: Inside the recoil units. Purpose: Mercury is used in recoil reduction systems to absorb and dampen shock. |
Archery Bows Spill Risk: Yes, exists if items are broken. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. Fishing tip-up lights Spill Risk: None, if units are intact. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. Sporting gun recoil units Spill Risk: No, if the unit is intact. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
|
Television Sets (TVs)*: *No longer made with mercury tilt switches. |
Source: Mercury tilt switches are in older TVs. They are small tubes with electrical contacts at one end of the tubes. Purpose: When the TV is tilted, the mercury flows to either end cutting off the circuit on one end, while opening it on the other side. They often function as on/off switches. |
Spill Risk: None, if units are intact. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
Thermometers:
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Body temperature thermometers Source: The bulbs at the bottom of glass thermometers contain mercury which is silver in color. Typical fever thermometers contain about 0.5 grams of mercury each. Purpose: Registers temperature changes. Clerget sugar test thermometers Source: Purpose: Registers blood sugar changes. |
Spill Risk: Yes, exists if items are broken. What to do if a mercury thermometer breaks. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed or exchanged for mercury-free thermometers at a household hazardous waste collection center. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. Also see the NEWMOA's National Mercury
Reduction Programs Database. |
|
Thermostats*: *Mercury switches are used in some thermostats. View Fact Sheet on Mercury Thermostats from EPA Region 7. View the Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association's "Review and Assessment of Thermostat Recycling Activities in the Northeast" (PDF) (June 2008). (27 pp, 119K, About PDF) Non-mercury thermostats are commercially available. |
Source: Temperature control devices may have mercury tilt switches. Mercury is contained in one or more glass bulbs inside the thermostat. Purpose: A temperature-sensitive mercury tilt switch controls the flow of electricity to heating and cooling systems. |
Spill Risk: Yes, exists if items are broken. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
|
Tilt Switches in:
|
Source: Mercury tilt switches are small tubes with electrical contacts at one end of the tubes. Purpose: When the tube is tilted, the mercury flows to either end cutting off the circuit on one end, while opening it on the other side. They often function as on/off switches. |
Spill Risk: None, if units are intact. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. With regard to washer machines, chest freezers and space heaters, call your local appliance recycler. |
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Consumer Products: Medical Pharmaceutical Products |
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|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Source /Purpose of Mercury | Spill Risk / Recommended Management |
|
Antibiotics |
Source: Mercury compounds are found in thimerosal. Purpose: As a preservative. View more information about the use of thimerosal in lab reagents and vaccines. |
Disposal: Follow Office of National Drug Control Policy's Federal Guidelines on Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs (PDF) (1 pg, 95K, About PDF). |
|
Contact lens solution |
Source: In solution. Purpose: May contain mercury containing preservatives: thimerosal, phenylmercuric acetate, or phenylmercuric nitrate |
Disposal: No special handling. |
|
Dental Amalgam*: *Dental amalgam ("silver fillings") is used to fill cavities in teeth. Dentists currently use prepared capsules that are mixed prior to application, and do not use elemental mercury. Clinical labs at some dental schools may have used elemental mercury in the past to prepare dental amalgam. Elemental mercury may also be present in some dental offices from previous use. Not all dental restorative options use mercury. See the Food and Drug Administrations': "Questions and Answers on Dental Amalgam" and "September 6 & 7, 2006 Dental Products Panels Material." |
Source: Dental amalgam consists of approximately 50% mercury. The remaining 50% is comprised of silver, copper and tin. Dental amalgam waste consists of excess amalgam from the preparation of fillings and from filling and tooth removals. Purpose: The mercury in amalgam binds with the other metals to produce a material that can be shaped to fill dental cavities, and is resistant to temperature changes and the effects of chewing. |
Spill Risk: No, except if elemental mercury is in dental offices or dental school clinics from previous amalgam preparations. Recommended Management: Used dental amalgam should be sent to a waste handler who will ensure that the mercury is properly recycled. View more information about best mercury management practices for dental amalgam. |
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Diuretics*: *Some diuretics are manufactured with Mersalyl and mercury salts. |
Source: In diuretics. Purpose: As a preservative. |
Disposal: No special handling. |
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Ear and Eye Drops/Eye Ointment*: *Some ear and eye drops are manufactured with ethyl mercury thiosalicylic acid. |
Source: In the drops or ointments. Purpose: As a preservative. |
Disposal: No special handling. |
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Hemorrhoid relief ointment |
Source: In the ointments. Purpose: As a preservative. |
Disposal: No special handling. |
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Mercurochrome |
Source: In solution. Purpose: Antibacterial agent. |
Disposal: No special handling. |
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Nasal Spray |
Source: In solution. Purpose: As a preservative. |
Disposal: No special handling. |
|
Skin cream*: *Most skin creams do not contain mercury compounds. Those that do are generally imported from outside the U.S. and are sold as skin lightening or freckle creams. Use of skin cream that contains mercury can lead to skin rashes or poisoning because mercury can be absorbed through the skin. |
Source: In cream. Purpose: Mercury compounds are used as bleaching agents. |
Disposal: No special handling. |
|
Sphygmomanometers (Blood pressure cuffs) |
Source: In glass tubes. Purpose: Elemental mercury in glass tubes is used to register blood pressure changes. |
Spill Risk: There is a risk of spills if broken. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. |
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Thermometers:
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Body temperature thermometers Source: The bulbs at the bottom of glass thermometers contain mercury which is silver in color. Typical fever thermometers contain about 0.5 grams of mercury each. Purpose: Registers temperature changes. Clerget sugar test thermometers Source: Purpose: Registers blood sugar changes. |
Spill Risk: Yes, exists if items are broken. What to do if a mercury thermometer breaks. Recommended Management: These products need to be properly disposed or exchanged for mercury-free thermometers at a household hazardous waste collection center. Consult your local or state collection program regarding items taken. Also see the NEWMOA's National Mercury
Reduction Programs Database. |
|
Thimerosal-containing vaccines: (hemophilus, hepatitis, rabies, tetanus, influenza, diphtheria, pertussis) |
Source: Mercury compounds are found in thimerosal. Purpose: As a preservative View more information about the use of thimerosal in lab reagents and vaccines. |
Disposal: No special handling. |
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of List of Medical Pharmaceutical Items | ||
Consumer Products: Automotive Parts |
Automotive Parts*:
* Most car manufacturers are designing new models without mercury switches. * Some cars manufactured prior to 2003 contained mercury switches. *ELVS' (End of
Life Vehicle Solutions
|
Source: In pre-2003 cars, switches in:
Mercury switches are in new cars' navigation screens and high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. Purpose: To conduct electricity. |
Spill Risk: Small. in daily driving. The risk of mercury releases to the environment exists if mercury switches are not removed by dismantlers before vehicles are shredded. Recommended Management: These switches need to be properly removed by dismantlers. Recovery Programs: |
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Wheel Balancers*: *Wheel balancers can be installed on trucks, motorhomes and motorcycles. (3/4 ton and up.) |
Source: Mercury-containing wheel balancers are installed behind vehicles' wheel assemblies. Purpose: To eliminate vibration, increase tire life, eliminate tire cupping, improve roadability, decrease fuel consumption and reduce maintenance cost. |
Spill Risk: No, if the unit is intact. Recommended Management: Send discarded items to manufacturer for mercury recycling. |
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Commercial Products |
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| Commercial Medical Products | ||
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| Commercial Electric Products | ||
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| Commercial Manufacturing Products | ||
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| Commercial Chemical Products | ||
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| Commercial Construction Products | ||
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| Top of List of Commercial Items |
Additional Product Links
Mercury in Product Websites
- The Northeast Waste Management Officials Association's:
- Mercury-Added
Products Database
- Trends in Mercury Use in Products: Summary of the Interstate Mercury Education & Reduction Clearinghouse (IMERC) Mercury-added Products Database
- Mercury Legacy Products Website
This Website provides information about the past and current uses of mercury-added products that are no longer sold as new products in the U.S., but may still be in use, may be resold as used or antique products, or if not being used may be stored in homes or businesses. The Website includes photographs and covers the types of situations in which the products have been typically used, the location of mercury in the products, and the products' proper handling, removal and disposal.
- Mercury-Added
Products Database
- The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration's
Mercury in Products Phase-Down Strategy - The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA):
Mercury in Drug and Biologic Products List
Non-mercury Alternative Product Websites
- National Wildlife Federation (NWF):
Mercury Products Guide: The Hidden Dangers of Mercury (PDF) (51 pp, 948K, About PDF)
- Lowell Center for Sustainable Production:
An Investigation of Alternatives to Mercury Containing Products (PDF) (85 pp, 404K, About PDF) - Sustainablehospitals.org offers: