What items have mercury in them?

Where do you find mercury in everyday life?

Do microwaves contain mercury?

Microwave Ovens - Mercury vapor bulbs were used in older microwave ovens. However, new models do not contain mercury.

What appliances have mercury switches?

Identifying Products Containing Mercury Switches

Tilt switches are found in a variety of products including chest freezers, clothes washers, clothes irons, space heaters, laptop computers, and sump and bilge pumps.

What building materials contain mercury?

Mercury is present in a lot of building elements such as (“silent”) switches, HVAC elements (thermostats, manometers), light bulbs (fluorescent and HID), batteries (in smoke detectors and emergency lighting), and relays (pneumatic controls).

5 Dangerous Everyday Household Items!

How do you know if a product contains mercury?

Since mercury doesn't have a distinctive smell or color, the only way to tell if it is in a product is to read the labeling. In the US, all cosmetic products are required to list their ingredients. Skin care containing mercury is often marketed as anti-aging and/or lightening or whitening.

Do eye drops contain mercury?

Abstract: : Purpose: Mercury-based preservatives, such as thimerosal and phenylmercuric acetate, have been used in ophthalmic, otic, nasal, topical, and injectable medicines.

Does a fridge have mercury?

Older fridges can have a number of other hazardous chemicals hidden in their mechanical parts. Those built before 2000 likely contain a small amount of mercury in switches and relays that professional appliance recyclers can recover for reuse.

Is there mercury in freezers?

Freezers were made with mercury switches until January 1, 2000. Some freezers with a lid light have a mercury switch in the light socket. Others have a mercury-free mechanical light switch. If the freezer has a light in the cover and no visible push-button, it probably contains a mercury switch.

What electronics have mercury?

Electronics. Mercury is used in LCD screens and monitors. It is also used in laptop screen shutoffs. Televisions manufactured before 1991 may also contain mercury switches.

Do laptop batteries contain mercury?

Lithium ion (Li-Ion) batteries are rechargeable and are considered the backbone of mobile electronics (cell phones, laptops) and cordless power tools. They do not contain mercury but they are on the trash and recycling industry's “most unwanted” list because the risk of fire is so high.

How can we avoid mercury?

Do stoves have mercury?

Mercury-added components are used in three types of cooking ranges: gas, gas-electric, and electric. Gas ranges typically contain only one mercury-added component, a mercury flame sensor, or gas shut-off valve. Gas-electric and electric ranges contain fluorescent bulbs for backlighting.

Do vegetables contain mercury?

Comparing the mercury concentrations in different types of vegetables and grains, we found that the mercury contents in the edible parts of lettuce, amaranth, water spinach, tomato, eggplant, pepper, cucumber, and cowpea were 2.1, 2.9, 5.4, 7.6, 4.3, 6.2, 1.8, and 5.7 fold greater than the maximum allowed mercury ...

What happens if mercury touches you?

If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you. Mercury is most harmful when you breathe in the vapors that are released when a container is open or a spill occurs. Pregnant women, infants and young children are particularly sensitive to the harmful effects of mercury.

Is there mercury in computer screens?

Compact fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes (including cold-cathode fluorescent tubes used for backlighting LCD TV and monitor screens) contain small quantities of mercury. Light is generated by gas discharge and the excitation of mercury vapour, which causes a plasma to be formed.

Is there mercury in a hot water heater?

Commercial Gas Water Heaters: Water heaters that hold 100 gallons or more may contain mercury flame sensors. If the water heater has a gas valve with a very thin metal wire plugged into it, it may have a mercury flame sensor. The metal wire is actually hollow and contains mercury.

How do you get mercury poisoning?

The most common cause of mercury poisoning is from consuming too much methylmercury or organic mercury, which is linked to eating seafood. Small amounts of mercury are present in everyday foods and products, which may not affect your health. Too much mercury, however, can be poisonous.

Why is mercury used in electronics?

Although many liquids could be used in pressure measuring devices, mercury is used because its high density requires less space. It is also a good conductor of electricity, so it is a useful component of electrical switches. Mercury is also used in dental fillings, paints, soaps, batteries, and fluorescent lighting.

What causes mercury vapor?

Common exposures: When most exposures to metallic mercury occur, they occur because mercury is released from a container, or from a product or device that breaks. If the mercury is not immediately contained or cleaned up, it can evaporate, becoming an invisible, odorless, toxic vapor.

What is mercury product?

If the words “mercurous chloride,” “calomel,” “mercuric,” “mercurio,” or “mercury” are listed on the label, mercury' is in it—and you should stop using the product immediately. The products are usually marketed as skin lighteners and anti-aging treatments that remove age spots, freckles, blemishes, and wrinkles.

Is mercury used in medicines?

Mercury was used in a wide variety of medical applications: to treat inflammation in the nose and throat; corneal stains; ulcers and warts; as a laxative; to stimulate the biliary function; against diarrhoea and vomiting; against dropsy; against spleen, liver, and lung diseases; and most notably, against syphilis.

Is there mercury in Flonase?

Drug maker Wyeth removed a mercury compound from a popular nasal spray more than a decade ago to skirt warning label requirements, but continued using the chemical in infant vaccines for several years until it came under pressure to stop.