News Releases - 2000

Mercury Accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Collections

Springfield, Ill. -- In response to the increased interest and concern about mercury, Illinois EPA Director Tom Skinner today reminded Illinois citizens that they could take mercury to the regularly scheduled household hazardous waste collections.

"With the public interest surrounding the recent investigations of mercury spills, we have been getting an increasing number of inquires from citizens who have containers of mercury in their homes. We want to let these people know that they can dispose of it safely by bringing it to one of our collections, Director Skinner said."

In addition, the Illinois EPA is working with other agencies on some potential additional safe disposal options for mercury and getting out more information to the public.

Breathing mercury vapors can potentially cause serious health problems, depending on exposure. The Agency urges citizens to take this opportunity to rid their homes of mercury. If you have mercury in your home, make sure it is an airtight, leak-proof container until it can be taken to a household hazardous waste collection.

Noting an incident in Stickney this week where mercury contamination occurred in an alley, Skinner emphasized that mercury should not be placed in trash bins or dumpsters or poured down the drain.

"Do not panic if you have mercury in your home. Do not open the original container, but place it in a larger sealed container and label it 'Do not open - mercury' and store it in a secure place until it an be safely disposed of, such as at the household hazardous waste collection events," Director Skinner noted.

If mercury is spilled in your home, contact the Illinois Department of Public Health immediately for proper cleanup procedures. Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury. It will spread mercury vapors and increase the area of contamination.

There are five more scheduled household hazardous waste collections this fall, including three in the Chicago metropolitan area. At last Saturday's collection in Bartlett, more than 40 pounds of mercury was collected.

The household hazardous waste collections will be held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the following communities:

• September 30, 2460 North Jasper, Decatur
  
  
• October 7, Broadview Village Square, Broadview
  
  
• October 14, 110 Avenue of Mid America, Effingham
  
  
• October 21, University of Illinois Chicago, 1135 South Morgan, Chicago
  
  
• October 28, U.S. Army Reserve Facility, 1515 West Central, Arlington Heights

Related Information

• Household Hazardous Waste Collections