1,451 pounds of mercury collected in Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA— The Department of Environmental Protection announced that its six regional offices collected 1,451 pounds of mercury in 2005 through a variety of collection strategies aimed at reducing the dangers posed by the neurotoxin to people and wildlife.

Since 1997, DEP’s six regional offices have collected almost 17,000 pounds of elemental mercury from schools and homes. Liquid elemental mercury is most commonly found in homes in thermometers, thermostats and barometers. At schools, elemental mercury may be found in containers in laboratories and thermometers and blood-pressure gauges in nurses’ offices.