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Mercury in Medical Equipment
Some medical equipment contains mercury. These devices include sphygmomanometers (blood pressure devices), fever thermometers, and other specialized medical equipment.
Alternatives
Most medical products have non-mercury alternatives. These are described by Sustainable Hospitals and Hospitals for a Healthy Environment.
Many Mercury-free Hospitals and associated clinics are voluntarily replacing mercury-containing medical equipment with non-mercury alternatives under a Memorandum of Understanding between the American Hospital Association and the Environmental Protection Agency.
In King County, the Voucher Incentive Program helps defray the costs of changing to non-mercury equipment.
Disposal
In King County, it is illegal to put mercury-containing products into the garbage, trash or ‘Red Bag’ (biomedical waste). When discarded, mercury-containing devices must be returned to the manufacturer, sent to a mercury reclamation facility, or handled by a hazardous waste management firm.
For more information contact Taylor Watson, Health and Environmental Investigator, at taylor.watson@kingcounty.gov.
