NDEP, City of Henderson to host FREE household mercury collection event May 21

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) is partnering with the City of Henderson to offer Southern Nevada residents the opportunity to safely dispose of select household items that contain “elemental” (liquid) mercury – a chemical found in products like thermometers and older thermostats. The mercury collection event will be on May 21, 2022, from 10am-2pm at the Nevada DMV (1399 American Pacific Dr., Henderson, NV), and is free to the public.

Elemental mercury can contaminate homes and the natural environment, and can lead to health impacts if ingested or inhaled. As such, elemental mercury should be disposed of properly to help protect the health and safety of your family and neighborhood

Household items that may contain elemental mercury, and that qualify to be disposed of at the collection event, include:

• Older thermometers (if the liquid in the thermometer is silver, it is most likely a mercury thermometer) 
• Certain models of older home thermostats (with a glass ampule and mercury inside)
• Mercury switches or relays (may be installed in cars manufactured before 2003)

Household items that will NOT be accepted at the collection event include:

• Commercially-generated elemental mercury
• Light fixture ballasts
• Fluorescent lights, HID lamps, or CFL bulbs
• Blood pressure gauges
• Mercury combined with any other compounds

For more information on how to properly dispose of these and other household items, contact the Southern Nevada Health District at (702) 759-1000.

Funding for the event comes from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant. For more information, visit ndep.nv.gov/land/mercury.