[Press Release] : Mercury drop-off program ends tomorrow

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Larry Archer, Department of Natural Resources - (573) 751-3807
or Gerry Worley, Columbia/Boone County Dept of Public Health and Human
Services - (573) 874-7346

Mercury drop-off program ends tomorrow

COLUMBIA, MO (February 26, 2009) - Residents have until tomorrow, Feb.
27, to dispose of any mercury-containing instruments through the
Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) mercury disposal
program. The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human
Services will accept properly-packaged mercury-containing instruments at
the health department facility at 1005 West Worley until 5 p.m.
tomorrow. The health department is one of 11 drop-off locations in
central Missouri. 

Any private citizen or non-profit agency can leave mercury-containing
instruments, like thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, thermostats or
switches, at any of the sites. The program does not include compact
fluorescent bulbs. A fact sheet detailing the proper disposal of CFLs is
available on the department’s Web site:
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2273.pdf.

To properly package mercury-containing instruments for disposal,
citizens should first secure the item(s) in two zip top bags and place
it in a sealed container (such as a coffee can or plastic margarine
tub). The extra packaging is required to prevent the release of mercury
if the item breaks while being transported. CITIZENS ARE REQUIRED TO
CONTACT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT (573) 874-7346 BEFORE ARRIVING WITH
MERCURY-CONTAINING ITEMS. An environmental health specialist will meet
citizens outside the building and place the mercury-containing items in
sealed containers. Citizens may NOT leave items if the health department
is closed.

DNR will collect the dropped-off items and transport them to Jefferson
City. They will be picked up by a state contractor, who will recycle
what can be recycled and properly dispose of the rest. Anyone who is
uncomfortable with transporting mercury instruments, or who has large
quantities of mercury, can contact DNR’s spill line at (573) 634-2436
to arrange to have items picked up. 

A complete list of statewide drop-off sites is available online at
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/mercury-collection.htm.

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