Safely Dispose of Household Toxins

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As you cross spring cleaning off your to-do list, make sure you safely dispose of hazardous materials that can be found in common household items.

Mercury for example, is a toxic chemical that is typically found in products like, batteries, paints, fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), thermostats, and more. This toxic substance cannot be destroyed. Therefore, it’s important to know what to do in case of a spill and safely dispose of products containing hazardous materials.

In case of a spill:

  • Have everyone else leave the area; don’t let anyone walk through the mercury.
  • Wear rubber, nitrile, or latex gloves.
  • Use a squeegee or cardboard to slowly gather mercury beads.
  • Use an eyedropper or a small paint brush with shaving cream to suck up the beads. Place it on a dampened towed then in a Ziplock bag.
  • Ventilate the area.
  • Call your local health department, municipal waste authority, or your local fire department for proper disposal.
  • Do NOT use a vacuum cleaner as it will cause mercury to get into the air and increase exposure
  • Do NOT use a broom as it will break the mercury into smaller droplets, spreading them.
  • Do NOT wash clothing or other items that have come in contact with mercury. They should be discarded.

By properly cleaning spills and disposing of mercury-containing products, you can help protect yourself, your family, and the environment.

Information for a local recycler can be found at: https://search.earth911.com.  

Contact Rogue Disposal for information on their next hazardous waste drop-off event:  RogueDisposal.com

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