Vermont bans mercury products

Vermont Governor Jim Douglas signed into law a bill to reduce mercury pollution on May 3, 2005. The new law builds on the state´s 1998 mercury law by instituting additional restrictions, Douglas said.

The bill bans the sale of mercury-containing products, including thermometers, blood-pressure instruments, and neon-type signs or lamps and will be phased in during 2006 and 2007.

“We have come to recognize the sources of mercury, both instate and out-of-state, and we have worked together to ensure that products that contain mercury are properly labeled and disposed of in a way that reduces negative environmental consequences,” said Douglas. “But there is more we can do about mercury releases inside Vermont, and that is what this bill will address.”

The law effects labeling requirements, extends the ban to new classes of products and strengthens controls of use and disposal in medical settings.