Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to one in 10 women in the U.S. already carry enough mercury in their blood to pose a threat of neurological damage to the fetus. The U.S. EPA ranks the health care sector as the fourth-largest source of mercury air emissions due to their contribution to medical waste incinerators.

Mercury is found in thermometers, blood pressure devices, lab chemicals, cleaners and other products used in health care. Fortunately, there are safe, cost-effective non-mercury alternatives for nearly all uses of mercury in health care.

More than 1,400 health care facilities in the U.S. have pledged to become mercury free, and the Hospitals for a Healthy Environment program has a goal to virtually eliminate mercury from the health care waste stream by the year 2005.

Many cities and states are passing laws to ban the sale of mercury fever thermometers. Also see our list of mercury-free pharmacies to learn which pharmacies in the U.S. have agreed to take mercury thermometers off their shelves.

Because mercury thermometers can also pose a risk to the consumer, HCWH has helped organize community thermometer exchanges around the U.S. Please see the resources section for a comprehensive list of useful information about mercury.