Mercury Reduction Program

Existence of all mercury, mercury compounds, and mercury containing devices in your laboratory and work area must be reported to the Department of Environmental, Health and Safety. Remember, all sources of mercury are to be eliminated unless there is no viable alternative.

Essential use is defined as: a circumstance where no acceptable alternative for the current use can be located or where it is found that implementation of an alternative would create a significant long-term financial hardship to the department or research project.

The following form must be completed and returned to EH&S for the continued use of all essential mercury containing devices (email completed forms to dennis.daye@marquette.edu):

Mercury Remediation Process for Laboratories

Identify all mercury, mercury compounds and mercury containing devices in each laboratory.  This should involve a drawer by drawer search of the entire laboratory.  Determine if the identified mercury is essential to the operation of the laboratory:

    1. If the mercury containing device is no longer used... get rid of it.  Please call the Environmental Health and Safety Department at (414) 288-8411 to arrange for its proper disposal.                                                               
    2. If the mercury containing device is used and needed for the laboratory, but can be replaced with a non-mercury containing device, then replace it and have EH&S remove the old device (as above). This may be costly, but the reductions in the risk associated with mercury spills are profound.
    3. If the device is both essential and cannot be replaced with a non-mercury containing alternative, then the mercury within the device or container must be reported and approved by EH&S.  Laboratories requiring the continued use of mercury must contact EH&S to request an exception.  This accountability will better ensure that all devices are properly safe-guarded to minimize breakage and spillage.  This is especially critical for breakable or corrodible devices and containers.  Safe-guarding the mercury from future accidental release may involve one or more of the following:                  
      • To prevent breakage, install strong bumper guards around exposed breakable parts (especially glass parts).
      • To contain mercury in the event of a spill, use secondary containment (place the device in a pan or affix a solid barrier under or around it).
      • To prevent tipping or falling, move it to a safer location (away from the edge of a shelf or away from a high traffic area) or secure the device to a stable support (like a wall or a frame work).
      • To prevent accidents due to neglect, do regular inspection and maintenance on the equipment and create a safe place for its proper storage.

Thermometer Exchange Program

Currently, Marquette University is offering a mercury thermometer exchange program.

Marquette University Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program
Contact: Dennis Daye, dennis.daye@marquette.edu, 414-288-8411

Marquette University has committed to a Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program as part of the University’s pollution prevention initiative. The Environmental Health and Safety Department of Marquette University will provide a 1 to 1 thermometer replacement for most non-mercury thermometer models at no cost to the lab. Existing mercury thermometers will be replaced with alcohol thermometers that are safe, non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

What are the benefits of switching to non-mercury thermometers?

  • Mercury from broken thermometers presents a hazard for faculty, staff, and students in laboratory areas.
  • Mercury also presents a hazard to the local environment, if broken thermometers in sinks eventually end at the sanitary sewer plant.
  • Broken mercury thermometers create hazardous waste that is costly to clean up. It can cost thousands of dollars to clean up a broken thermometer.
  • Effective non-mercury thermometers are available.
  • Non-mercury thermometers can be used in incubators, water bath, or other applications where mercury thermometers have been traditionally used.
  • Most non-mercury thermometers are certified by the National Institute of Standard and Technology or the National Committee for Clinical laboratory Standards to meet accuracy requirements.

What are the Hazards Associated with Broken Mercury Thermometers?

Mercury from broken thermometers presents a hazard for faculty, staff, and students in laboratory areas. Mercury also presents a hazard to the local environment: mercury in broken thermometers in sinks eventually may end at the waste water treatment plant where it can endanger microbes and interfere with the treatment process. The typical household mercury thermometer contains enough mercury in it to contaminate a 20-acre fish pond. Broken mercury thermometers create hazardous waste that is costly to clean up and dispose of. The absence of mercury thermometers also reduces our regulatory risk and can potentially decrease the cost of renovation projects.

How Can I Replace my Thermometers?

To replace your mercury thermometers you must complete the Mercury Thermometer Exchange Request  form. Replacement thermometers must be selected from the VWR Product Catalog. The part number/catalog number for the replacement thermometer must be indicated on the exchange request form.

After filing the Exchange Request form, you will be contacted to arrange a thermometer exchange.


Not sure if you need total or partial immersion thermometer?

A total immersion thermometer is designed to indicate temperatures correctly when the bulb and the entire liquid column are exposed to the temperature being measured, except for a minimal length emergent to be visible. A partial immersion thermometer has a line around it at the immersion distance from the bottom. It indicates correctly when the bulb and liquid column to that line are exposed to the temperature being measured and the emergent stem is at ambient temperature. A total immersion thermometer may be used accurately at partial immersion if a mathematical correction is applied.

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