Mercury (Hg) is a naturally occuring element that is toxic to humans and other living things. Mercury can get into water from polluted runoff and from precipitation containing mercury (atmospheric deposition). Humans can be exposured to mercury by eating contaminated fish, absorbing it through the skin, or inhaling it from the atmosphere. Mercury has been identified as one of the toxic substances of concern in the plan for Lake Champlain, Opportunities for Action.

Many efforts are being made in the Lake Champlain Basin to prevent mercury from contaminating our lakes and rivers and to protect human health. Recent and on-going activities include:

• The State of Vermont has initiated a mercury reduction campaign which includes a mercury labeling law, urging pharmacies to voluntarily stop selling mercury thermometers and helping schools remove and reduce mercury hazards.
• Both New York State and Vermont have issued fish advisories to warn anglers about the dangers of eating mercury contaminated fish.
• Farmers exchanged mercury manometers for digital devices through a program by the VT Dept. of Agriculture that was funded in part by the LCBP.
• The National Wildlife Federation initiated a program with dentist's in the Basin to properly dispose of mercury that was funded by the LCBP. The State of Vermont now has guidelines for dental offices.

• Batteries:
  What: Mercuric oxide and pre-1996 alkaline batteries
  Alternatives: Look for labeling that says mercury reduced or eliminated. Avoid mercury zinc button batteries
• Fluorescent light bulbs: What: Compact and tubes
  Alternatives: Buy low-mercury fluorescent light bulbs
• Gauges
  What: Including barometers, manometers, blood pressure, and vacuum gauges with a silver-colored liquid
  Alternatives: Alternatives include digital and needle or bourdon gauges
• Mercury vapor lights
  What: High intensity discharge (HID), metal halide, and high pressure sodium and neon bulbs
  Alternatives: Alternatives are not available, use low-mercury brands if available
• Paint
  What: Pre-1990 latex and some oil-based paint (check the label)
  Alternatives: Buy new latex paints and avoid oil-based paints containing mercury
• Thimerosal and Merbromim
  What: In some antibacterial products such as mercurochrome
  Alternatives: Read labels on medicines, ointments and creams
  
• Pilot light sensors
  What: Some gas appliances such as stoves, ovens, clothes dryers, water heaters, furnaces, and space heaters
  Alternatives: Newer models have electronic sensors
• Switches and relays
  What: Some freezer chests and clothes irons, pre-1972 washers, sump and bilge pumps, electric space heaters, silent light switches, farm equipment and vehicles
  Alternatives: Ball-type switches becoming more available in car hoods and trunks
• Thermometers
  What: Containing a silver-colored liquid
  Alternatives: Use red-bulb (alcohol) or electronic digital thermometers instead
• Thermostats
  What: Non-electric
  Alternatives: Switch to electronic models and snap switches, esp. when remodeling
• Vintage Toys
  What: Toy drawing screens and mercury maze games
  Alternatives: Electronic devices and other liquids are used in newer toys

Products containing mercury and other hazardous waste products should always be taken to hazardous waste drop off centers or recycling centers if they will take such materials. They should not be thrown in household trash. Recycling centers and hazardous waste centers are typically listed in the "community pages" of phonebooks. Or visit the MercVT website for more information.

• Chittenden Solid Waste District
• Drinking Water and Health - Fact Sheet on Mercury (US EPA)
• MercVT - Mercury Education and Reduction Campaign (VT ANR)
• Mercury Factsheet (US EPA)
• Mercury Contamination of Aquatic Ecosystems (USGS)