DON’T THROW AWAY OLD MERCURY THERMOMETERS

 HARRISBURG, AUG. 17 – State Sen. Connie Williams is asking residents to check their medicine cabinet for old fever thermometers. If they contain mercury, carefully wrap them, put them out of the reach of children and consider stopping by one of the Household Hazardous Waste events scheduled in Montgomery and Delaware counties this year.

 “When a thermometer containing mercury breaks, the mercury can evaporate into the air, which poses a risk to the people nearby – especially children,” Williams said. “If you haven’t already done so, now is a good time to look through your medicine chest and if you have an old mercury fever thermometer, carefully wrap it and put it up and add a new thermometer to your list of back-to-school supplies.”

 Williams reintroduced legislation (S.B. 527) that would prohibit the sale or distribution at no cost of thermometers used for measuring human or animal body temperatures that contain mercury or a mercury compound.

 Mercury is a neurological and reproductive toxin and has been linked to lowered IQ and other neurological and reproductive problems.

 “It is very important that people do not simply throw old mercury thermometers into the garbage,” Williams said. “Mercury that is landfilled can seep into groundwater or can be released into the air as a toxic vapor. The best way to dispose of old mercury thermometers is to stop by a Household Hazardous Waste recycling event.”

 Household Hazardous Waste events are scheduled as follows:

• Aug. 20 – HHW and computers – Temple University, Ambler Campus

• Sept. 17 – HHW only – American Ref-Fuel, 10 Highland Ave., Chester

• Sept. 30 – HHW and computers – Rose Tree Park, Media

• Oct. 22 – HHW and computers – Lower Merion Township Transfer Station.

 Stop by any of the locations between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to recycle your old mercury thermometer. Please place items securely in packaging to transport.