Looking for a place to safely dispose of your household mercury fever thermometers? It's a good idea to get rid of them because improper disposal of mercury thermometers is a major source of harmful mercury in our air, water and soil.

While mercury fever thermometers are safe when used correctly and disposed of properly, many residents may not be aware of the health threat they pose and fail to follow precautions when discarding or when the thermometers break. Mercury is a widespread, highly toxic metal that poses a significant threat to people and the environment. Excessive exposure to mercury can cause serious health problems including neurological disorders in children and adults.  The most common exposure to mercury is by eating fish and shellfish that contain mercury, however household mercury fever thermometers are also a source of exposure.  Mercury thermometers are easy to identify, they contain a silver- or gray-colored liquid as compared to those with red-colored liquid which contain alcohol or mineral spirits.

Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) will collect household mercury thermometers now through July, 2006. JCDHE and local health departments across the state are participating in the "Mercury Free Colorado Campaign" a statewide initiative to collect and safely dispose of mercury thermometers.

Citizens are asked to bring in their mercury thermometers in the original protective case or inside an empty plastic water or soft drink bottle to prevent breakage to:

Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment Thermometer Collection Sites:
 Arvada- 6303 Wadsworth Bypass
 Conifer- (Mountain Resource Center) 11030 Kitty Drive
 Golden- 1801 19th Street
 Lakewood- 260 South Kipling Street

Only mercury thermometers will be accepted for recycling at JCDHE. Other products containing mercury such as thermostats, switches, gauges, mercury vapor lights, hearing aid and watch batteries, and children's shoes with flashers in the sole should be disposed of properly through a local household hazardous waste program such as Rooney Road Recycling in Jefferson County.

• For more information on JCDHE mercury thermometer collection program, please call Jeanne Erly at 303-239-7030.

• For more information on the "Mercury Free Colorado Campaign" please visit: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/mercury/ or call 1-888-569-1831 ext. 3320 for a collection site.

• For more information on mercury and its impact on human and environmental health please visit http://www.epa.gov/mercury

• For more information on safe disposal of household hazardous waste, please visit: http://jeffco.us/recycle.htm or call 303-316-6262 to make an appointment.