Thermostats

Why Be Concerned About Mercury Thermostats?

Wall mounted mercury thermostats are a major source of mercury in the solid waste stream. The thermostats are burned or broken when disposed of by traditional methods, allowing mercury to be released into the environment. Many of us are aware that mercury does exist in our environment. However, we may not be aware of just how serious the problem is. Mercury is a toxic liquid metal which poses a public health threat. It is emitted into the environment, draining into waterways and is absorbed into our atmosphere through the process of evaporation. When a chemical such as mercury enters our environment, it becomes available for uptake by all living organisms. Unfortunately, mercury does not break down and builds up in fish, birds and people.

One of the most common ways to become exposed to mercury is through the consumption of fish because of the high levels of mercury in our rivers, streams and lakes. Mercury affects the red blood cells, kidney tissues and the central nervous system.

— Source: Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management, State of Maine

News & Events

Assemblyman Ruskin holds press conference for signing of historic producer responsibility law, AB2347.

Thanks to all the hard work of CPSC and our Partners, AB2347 was signed by the Governor on September 29, 2008.

AB2347 press conference Palo Alto Water Treatment Facility, October 20, 2008

Pictured from left to right: Barbara Spector, Mayor of Los Gatos Rick Brauch, Dept. of Toxic Substances Control Heidi Sanborn, CPSC Ira Ruskin, Assemblymember and Author of AB 2347 Bill Magavern, Sierra Club California Pat Foster, Mayor of East Palo Alto Larry Klein, Mayor of Palo Alto Samantha Omey, Honeywell

Policy & Legislation

California

• AB 2347 - Mercury Thermostat Collection Act of 2008, signed by the Governor, establishes a shared responsibility program for recycling of mercury thermostats and relieves pressure on cash-strapped local governments. This bill takes an extended producer responsibility approach for establishing effective mercury recycling collection programs, allows Californians to return waste thermostats to retail locations that sell new ones, establishes convenient collection sites for contractors, and requires companies that produce thermostats to fund the recycling program.
  
  See the fact sheet on AB 2347 that summarizes the major points of this bill.
  
  See State Actions for current information on this bill.

Elsewhere

• Maine Thermostat Law 2006
• Pennsylvania Mercury Thermostat Law Signed by Governor 10/9/08
• PSI – Maine Thermostat Law Press Release 3/30/2006
• PSI -- Mercury Thermostat Laws Chart

What You Can Do to Help

Recycle

Mercury thermostats were widely used in California prior to 1992 and were legal to buy until 2006. Each mercury thermostat contains 3 grams of mercury on average. If you have a mercury thermostat, make sure when you replace it that it gets properly recycled. Here's how:

The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) is a not-for-profit corporation founded and operated by thermostat manufacturing companies. You can properly recycle your mercury thermostats for free through the TRC program at either:

• your local heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) wholesale outlet, such as Geary Pacific Supply Company, Baker Distributing Company, Johnstone Supply Company, RSD, Lennox Industries, Burke Engineering Company
     OR
  
• your local hazardous waste collection facility

Links

Thermostat Recycling Corporation