- Thermometers with silver fluid
- Thermostats (non-digital)
- Fluorescent light bulbs
- Gas-fired appliances
- Some trunk light switches on cars
- Button-size batteries
- Dairy barn manometers
- Relays
- Neon signs
Products containing mercury SHOULD NOT be thrown in the trash. They should be taken to the District’s household hazardous waste depot (except for fluorescent bulbs and batteries; they can go to your transfer station during their hours of operation.) Mercury is harmful to human health and the environment. Damage to the nervous system and brain can occur through inhaling mercury vapors or through consumption of contaminated fish or birds. Fish and aquatic birds of prey, like loons, are especially vulnerable to lead fishing sinkers, and other sources of lead which are transformed by aquatic microorganisms into methyl mercury, and then accumulated up the food chain.
FUN FACT: The process of making felt hats used to include compounds containing mercury. The over-exposure of mercury led to brain deterioration in the hat makers. Hence the expression: “Mad as a hatter.”