Mercury Resources

Mercury is found in very small amounts in the natural environment; however, it is a substance that can have very harmful effects on human health and the environment if it is spilled or disposed of improperly. Replacing mercury-containing items such as thermometers, barometers, and thermostats with mercury-free alternatives can minimize risk to the environment and to human health. This section will help you to identify mercury-containing items and to become familiar with the school’s mercury disposal and storage practices. Once mercury is located in your school you can work to become a “mercury free school”.

Action and Implementation

Schools qualifying to be a Green & Healthy School must include mercury in the curriculum and the school must be virtually mercury free. "Virtually mercury free" is defined as not having elemental mercury or mercury containing devices (mercury thermometers, sphygometers, and barometers) on school grounds. If your school still has mercury thermostats, we aren’t requiring you to replace them, however you should label them as containing mercury.

The resources below can provide you with ideas on how to meet these requirements.

Reaching Higher

If you choose to go further after your school becomes a Green & Healthy School, the following resources can also be used to help you meet the Reaching Higher requirements.

Teaching

Students should know the dangers of mercury and how they can help to reduce mercury effects to our environment. The following Web sites contain mercury-related lessons and curriculum connections.

• Mercury in Schools - Curriculum [exit DNR]
• Mercury Fact Sheets [exit DNR]
• Mercury Lessons [PDF exit DNR] Lessons can be adapted for younger elementary age students.

Mercury Free Schools

Replacing mercury and mercury containing items with non-mercury alternatives within the school is the best way to eliminate the dangers associated with a mercury spill. Use the following Web sites for ideas on how you can make your school mercury free.

• 9 Steps to becoming Mercury free [PDF exit DNR]
• Getting Mercury out of Schools [exit DNR]
• Mercury in Schools Brochures [exit DNR]
• Successful Mercury Reduction Programs [exit DNR]
• Where is the mercury in schools? [exit DNR]

Community Mercury Education

Now that you’ve learned all about the dangers of mercury and how to reduce the impact it has on the environment and human health, why not share your knowledge with your community so they can join in! Work with community businesses/retailers and organizations to organize a mercury exchange where community members can bring in mercury containing household items such as thermometers in exchange for alcohol thermometers. You can also create brochures explaining what your school has done to reduce mercury and include ideas on what they can do to continue the effort.