Click here to return to the main UFT web site

Chapter Leader: Laurie Campetella • 1-718-605-1400 ext. 209 • Delegates: Mike Olen, Sham Khera, Win Hung, Marina Barina

Fall 2005

Mercury and the New New york state law

On July 12, 2004, Governor George Pataki signed a new law banning the sale of mercury-added products and mercury-fever thermometers in New York State. This law also prohibits primary and secondary schools from purchasing or using mercury.

What are mercury-added products? They include thermometers, thermostats, switches, medical and scientific instruments. Think about all the instruments we have in our science departments! Items like manometers, barometers, sphygmomanometers, batteries, stoeckel tubes, electrical relays, etc.

During our annual health and safety training course we discussed the dangers of having elemental mercury in school. Some would argue that there is no danger if the mercury is in a closed glass tube, e.g., a manometer. But many of the mercury-spill problems we have responded to involve mercury that was in a closed glass tube that was dropped or fell and broke open releasing the mercury onto the floor, counter top or into a sink.

Laboratory specialists were encouraged to have any mercury items removed using the proper procedures for chemical and hazardous waste removal. Information on chemical removal can be found on the chapter Web site — here's a link: How to have old, unwanted chemicals removed . At the bottom of the page is a link to the Chemicals Removal Request form. Follow the instructions above the link to notify the UFT and the Department of Education. Then download the form and follow the instructions to complete it.

Describe everything that needs to be removed (size, shape, length, number of items, etc.) because the chemical removal company needs this information in order to bring the proper containers for transporting these items. If there are any vials or bottles of elemental mercury be sure to include these on the list. These items can be removed with your other chemicals that need to be disposed of.

In this time of budget cuts there may be resistance to removing mercury-containing equipment, either by administration or some staff members. I suggest you provide the following Web site if faced with resistance to comply with the New York State Law: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dshm/redrecy/c145home.html