Prevention
What Can I Do To Prevent Mercury Pollution?
Residents:
Mercury is being phased out of many retail products sold in Minnesota. As a consumer, educate yourself, do not purchase mercury-containing items if a substitute is available. When an item containing mercury is purchased, dispose of it properly when it becomes waste. Here are some ways that you can reduce mercury pollution:
Reduce your use of mercury-containing items
Choose non-mercury alternatives
Dispose of any item that contains mercury properly. In the WLSSD area, this means brining the item to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Disposal is free for residents. Businesses are charged a small fee though the Clean Shop program.
Use less electricity: the largest source of mercury emission in Minnesota is the burning of coal for power generation.
Businesses and Industries:
Mercury may be an unintended contaminant in some industrial acids or other materials. Look for mercury-free alternatives in both raw materials and measurement devices.
Dispose of mercury-containing items through a licensed hazardous waste disposal contractor or use the WLSSD Clean Shop services if qualified.
Blueprint for Mercury Elimination for Wastewater Treatment Plants
Dentists
Dental Amalgam contains mercury. Dental offices were once a large source of mercury to wastewater treatment plants. Offices in the WLSSD service area have installed separators to prevent amalgam waste from entering the sewer system. This has dramatically reduced the amount of mercury entering the treatment plant at WLSSD, reducing emission to water sources in our area.
For more information about Dental Office Amalgam Separators in the WLSSD area, contact Tim Tuominen at 218-722-3336 ext 315.
For more information about the Minnesota Voluntary Dental Office Amalgam Separator Program, contact Loren Hanson of the Minnesota Dental Association at 651-646-7454.
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