Elemental Mercury

Becoming a Mercury-Free Campus

Mercury Free Campus

EHS continually strives to eliminate elemental mercury from campus. You can help make this possible by proactively requesting removal of elemental mercury from your lab.

Where Can Mercury Be

In addition to having a container of elemental mercury in a lab, it can be found in various devices and equipment such as:

• Thermometers
• Instrument or equipment gauges
• Pressure measuring devices

Disposal

Submit a pickup request using EHSA to have elemental mercury or mercury containing devices picked up by EHS.

Mercury Spills

Any elemental mercury spills, regardless of amount, requires an immediate cleanup response by EHS staff.

• Broken thermometers containing elemental mercury.
• Residue found on the outside of instrumentation or devices.
• Containers of elemental mercury that may be compromised (e.g. cracks or discoloration of the container or lid).
• Call 765-494-0121 to report a mercury spill.

Contact

Environmental Health and Safety
hazwaste@purdue.edu
765-494-0121