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MERCURY THERMOMETER TRADE
Mercury, a naturally occurring element is an extremely toxic substance. Although is appears to be a benign component of a fever thermometer, this element is quite insidious as it easily changes from a liquid to a vapor form. Once vaporized, the mercury enters the water cycle, attaches itself to water droplets, it is transported through the atmosphere by the wind and is deposited in water bodies as rainfall or as a run-off from soil after rain. Mercury can also enter water bodies as a liquid through improper disposal of thermometers and other sources of mercury such as paints or batteries.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this project is to raise community awareness of the dangers of mercury pollution and remove mercury from the waste stream. Collection of mercury thermometers is an important step in protecting the environment and the water resources of the community. Providing information about the hazards of mercury as a water and air pollutant is critical to protecting the population.
Through the cooperation of University Outreach and Extension, the Maysville R-I chapter of FFA, Region D Solid Waste District, the Department of Natural Resources local pharmacies, the local hospital, and other groups and businesses in DeKalb and Clinton Counties, information will be disseminated concerning the potential hazards of mercury. Using newspaper articles, radio interviews, newsletters, church bulletins, community posters, flyers sent home with school age children and other means of communication, information about the dangers of mercury pollution and the collection of mercury thermometers will be circulated. The local radio station has offered free airtime and technical assistance in recording radio messages about mercury pollution. These will be aired for several days before the collection and played eight to ten times a day.
At least three collections will be held at different sites in an attempt to reach as many people as possible. One of the collections will be held at the new Cameron Hospital Facility. For those people who cannot get to the collection site because of disability, home pick up service will be offered. At the collection, non-mercury thermometers will be traded for mercury thermometers and a brochure about the dangers posed by mercury to the environment will be handed out. Door prizes will be given out as an incentive to participate in the collection events. The collected thermometers will be sent to a Midwest Lamp Recycling in Wisconsin, a mercury disposal company, for proper disposal and recycling. During the summer meeting of the Maysville FFA, UOE Extension Specialists will provide and informational session on mercury as a non-point source pollutant using activities from Project Wet and other sources. Plans will be made at this event for the collection days and the dissemination of information.
OBJECTIVES
The goal of the project is to reach 3000 households with information of the dangers of mercury pollution and collect 1000 mercury thermometers from the general public, schools and health care providers.
PRODUCTS
Mercury Advisory Brochure, Series of Newspaper and Radio Announcements
PROJECT SPONSOR
University of Missouri Outreach and Extension
Buchanan County Extension Center
COOPERATING AGENCIES
Maysville R-I FFA, Region D Solid Waste, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Randolf/Whitford Pharmacy, Cameron Hospital, Regional Radio KKWK, Midwest Lamp Recycling, Inc.
CONTACT
Buchanan County Extension Center
Meridith Berry
4125 Mitchell
St. Joseph, MO 64507
816-279-1691
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