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Any business that handles or uses mercury containing-objects should have an emergency plan in case of a mercury spill. Keep a mercury spill kit on hand, and never use a conventional vacuum cleaner to sweep mercury up, since this will fill the air with toxic mercury vapor.
Be sure to train workers who might be exposed to mercury so that:
For more details on how to respond to a spill click here .
Construction and demolition contractors can benefit from developing a waste management plan. There are several plan options for waste recycling, such as jobsite clean-up service, commingled recovery, jobsite separation, and self-haul. A jobsite cleanup service requires the subcontractors to place all waste in a designated area/container, while the hauler handles the separation of recyclable materials into separate containers done on the jobsite by the subcontractors. For example, the subcontractor would be in charge of storing the mercury devices in safe containers for recycling. The last option, self-haul, requires the builder to handle, transport and tip all materials.
Frequently the general contractor will provide a dumpster on site for use by all subcontractors. Another approach is to require subcontractors to remove their own waste, which can offer several benefits. Though subcontractors will likely charge more to include disposal, the elimination of jobsite containers gets rid of the additional costs general contractors often have to pay as a result of drive-by contamination. This approach also promotes the efficient us of building materials by establishing a direct link between installer and disposer. In addition, waste management method improves the jobsite appearance and makes recycling by the subcontractors easier because it prevents the commingling of waste.
For more on Regulatory Requirements that apply to mercury disposal click here.
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You should simply avoid using mercury-containing devices in new construction or remodeling jobs. Thermostats, switches, appliances and other mercury-containing equipment have mercury free alternatives. Energy-efficient mercury-containing fluorescent lights are an exception; using these lamps actually may keep mercury out of the environment because mercury is a by-product of coal combustion used as an energy source in many places. However, low mercury-content, energy-efficient lamps are available. Carefully choose the lighting system you install to provide adequate lighting, energy efficiency, and mercury minimization.
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Some types of mercury problems are common to nearly all buildings. Mercury containing lamps and thermostats will be found in most buildings. Most commercial buildings will have mercury controls on boilers and cooling systems, and many buildings will have mercury-containing appliances. However, many types of mercury problems will depend largely on what the building is used for, and has been used for in the past.
If you are not sure what a building has been used for throughout it's history, you need to find out. Usually, former owners are the best source for this information. You may also contact your local zoning board or chamber of commerce. Certain types of electrical component factories and boilers could have large amounts of mercury that require special cleanup. To find out about mercury problems that different types of buildings have click here.
The first step in renovation or demolition projects is a walk-through visual inspection of the area. The purpose of this is to identify any items which will require special handling and disposal, such as thermostats, fluorescent lamps, and mercury switch-containing devices. Other hazardous materials which don't contain mercury need to be identified as well. Materials that are difficult to identify or that are suspected of being potentially hazardous should be isolated, until they can be identified. Also, identify which materials are to be removed and sold for reuse or processed and recycled.
To get additional clues about where mercury might be contained within a building, consider the building's history(see above) and look at the building's blueprints. Blueprints can help you locate lights, switches, and thermostats that might have mercury in them. For help in identifying what mercury-containing devices look like, check our mercury-containing devices page.
Demolition wastes which are delivered to landfills should be only a portion of all the material initially at the demolition site. The landfill fraction should consist only of the materials that can't be economically recovered and don't require special disposal arrangements. Recover all marketable timber, metals, fixtures, concrete, and other materials that can be reused or recycled.
Do not mix mercury-containing wastes with other wastes. For a list of the companies that accept mercury wastes, click here. For an overview of regulatory requirements that apply to mercury disposal, click here. For additional detail about companies that accept mercury wastes in your area, and the regulations that apply in your State, contact your state's hazardous waste program office or your EPA Regional Office.
Some types of mercury problems are common to nearly all buildings-mercury containing lamps and thermostats will be found in most buildings. Most commercial buildings will have mercury controls on boilers and cooling systems, and many buildings will have mercury-containing appliances. However, many types of mercury problems will depend largely on what the building is used for, and has been used for in the past.
If you are not sure what a building has been used for throughout it's history, you need to find out. Usually , former owners are the best source for this information. You may also contact your local zoning board or chamber of commerce. Certain types of electrical component factories and boilers could have large amounts of mercury that require special cleanup. To find out about mercury problems that different types of buildings have, click here.
After you have identified mercury contained within your building, develop a mercury reduction plan. Most mercury devices pose little immediate risk, so there isn't necessarily a need to immediately get rid of mercury-containing devices. However, most mercury-containing devices now are easy to replace with mercury free alternatives. Elemental mercury should be recycled first in the reduction plan. This eliminates the risk of spillage of elemental mercury. Manometers should also be replaced as soon as possible with mercury free alternatives, given the spill risk these devices pose. Consider replacing older lights, thermostats, and appliances with newer models that contain much less mercury and help the environment. The newer models are much more energy efficient than the older models. It will also save you money on energy bills.
You should keep mercury containing fluorescent. These lights are very efficient and are still good for the environment as long as the mercury does not get out. Remember, when these lamps burn out, be sure to recycle them properly. If these lights are broken, the mercury in them will be let out in the form of mercury vapor, one of the most toxic forms of mercury. You should also have some kind of contract with your maintenance personnel to insure the lamps are disposed of properly.
If you sell the building, it is a good idea to let the buyer know about all the remaining mercury in the building, so they can responsibly handle the problem.
If you are going to remodel or demolish a building or complex that you own, you need to ensure that the demolition takes place safely. When you write the contract for the demolition, you need to include a hazardous materials clause making the contractor responsible for removing and properly disposing of all hazardous materials expected to be encountered during the demolition. If unexpected materials are encountered, the contract may need to be adjusted.
After you have identified mercury contained within your building, develop a mercury reduction plan. Most mercury devices pose little immediate risk, so there isn't necessarily a need to immediately get rid of mercury-containing devices. However, most mercury-containing devices, except fluorescent lamps, now are easy to replace with mercury free alternatives.
You should develop a plan to:
If you sell the building, it is a good idea to let the buyer know about all the remaining mercury in the building, so he or she can responsibly for handling the problem.
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