 Ohio EPA 
Mercury Reduction
In case of a SPILL contact the Ohio EPA spill hotline at
1-800-282-9378
Mercury is a persistent bioaccumulative toxic metal that is widely used in many products (Introduction to mercury). Once mercury is released into the environment its toxicity, persistence and ability to travel up the food chain are important issues for human health and the environment. Ohio has a Statewide health advisory for mercury from fish consumption for sensitive populations: women of childbearing age and children fifteen years old or younger, issued by Ohio's Department of Health (Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory). The following web sites provide information on pollution prevention, alternatives to mercury containing products, locations to drop off old mercury containing products and information on what to do in case of a spill.
Ohio’s new mercury product law
House Bill 443 was made law on January 4, 2007. The law has the mercury product regulations created initially in House Bill 583 and Senate Bill 323, establishing sales bans for certain mercury products. Public and private schools through high school shall not purchase mercury, mercury compounds or mercury-measuring devices for classroom use as of April 6, 2007. Mercury thermometers and mercury-containing novelty items will not be sold in Ohio as of October 6, 2007. The sale of novelty items that have mercury cell button batteries are banned in 2011. Mercury thermostats will not be sold or installed as of April 6, 2008. There are exemptions to the sales bans. The text of the law is available at this link. A fact sheet is available here.
Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Mercury Phase-Down Strategy
The Public Comment period for the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Mercury Phase-Down Strategy ended on October 27, 2007. The draft strategy can be accessed at http://glrc.us/initiatives/toxics/drafthgphasedownstrategy.html. New information on the strategy will be posted here when it becomes available.
Ohio Projects/Resources
Mercury Collection and Recycling
Mercury Spill Information
Other Mercury Links
Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049
Phone (614) 644-3469
Fax (614) 644-2807
Toll Free (800) 329-7518
E-Mail p2mail@epa.state.oh.us
page last updated: October 31, 2007
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