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ELECTRONIC ARTICLE: Michele DiCarlo, Bruce Ruck, and Steven Marcus How Should a Fever Mercury Thermometer be Disposed of? A Survey of Those Likely to be Asked Pediatrics 2002; 109: e71 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Look Up to Mercury

Graham A. Barden MD FAAP   (2 May 2002)

Lamps or thermometers - which have the greater amount of Hg?

Phillip J. Colquitt   (10 May 2002)

Look Up to Mercury 2 May 2002
Graham A. Barden MD FAAP, Pediatrician General Pediatrics Send letter to journal: Re: Look Up to Mercury gbarden{at}ncfreedom.net Graham A. Barden MD FAAP	Although it is a noble goal to rid our world of environmental contaminants, I think the AAP should reserve it's influence for more substantial and meaningful public notifications. Relative risk is a difficult subject for all of us. But separating "actual risk" from "perceived risk" is important to consider whether we are trying to convince the public of the importance of vaccinations or now, the importance of proper disposal of mercury. The true relative risk of the tiny amount of elemental mercury (as opposed to organic mercury) contained in a device whose useful life when properly maintained can last for tens of years is minimal, even when multiplied across the nation. To be environmentally responsible, we should promote keeping the mercury thermometers we have now in service, not in the landfill! Why should we look up to mercury? Remember, there is more mercury in four fluorescent lights than there is in a thermometer. If our leadership wants to decrease mercury in the environment, perhaps they should promote different lighting systems...
Lamps or thermometers - which have the greater amount of Hg? 10 May 2002
Phillip J. Colquitt, Technical Advisor Independent Send letter to journal: Re: Lamps or thermometers - which have the greater amount of Hg? philjquitt{at}hotmail.com Phillip J. Colquitt	How much mercury(Hg) is typically found in four fluorescent lamps? Is it more than in a thermometer, as has been suggested[1]? Typically, fever thermometers contain about one gram of mercury(Hg). One gram of mercury is one thousand milligrams of Hg(1000 mg). However, some fever thermometers will contain 0.8 grams, and some larger versions can contain 1.5 grams. Based on amounts such as these, estimations of related hospital Hg usage have been discussed[2,3,4]. Below(Table 1.), and taken from the National Electrical Manufacturer's Association (NEMA) own web entry[5], are the progressively reduced, pre and post-1988 amounts of mercury in fluorescent lights. Table 1. LAMP AMOUNT(mg.) Pre 1988 T-12 ~45 Post 1988 T-12 ~11.6 Typical T8 ~4 to 5 Low Mercury T8 ~3 CFL ~4 to 6 The NEMA web article goes on to say that ...."Based on a 1999 NEMA survey, the average four-foot fluorescent lamp contains about 11.6 milligrams (mg) of mercury". In other words, the amount of mercury in a "typical" fluorescent light is 1.16% of that found in a "typical" fever thermometer. When comparing a fever thermometer and four fluorescent lights, in terms of amounts of mercury contained therein, the fever thermometer has the greater by far, and the article by DiCarlo, M. et al[6] is welcome reading. May I suggest that disposal methods of Hg thermometers, and why such a thing is so important, should be part of mandatory labeling, and fully readable by intending consumers. Many would opt for an oral digital model, I suspect. Phillip J. Colquitt Independent Technical Advisor New Farm, Queensland, Australia REFERENCES: [1]Barden GA. Look Up to Mercury Pediatrics. P3R response(2 May 2002). [2] Colquitt PJ. The effect of occupational exposure to mercury vapour on the fertility of female dental assistants. Occup Environ Med. 1995 Mar;52(3):214. No abstract available. PMID: 7735398 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] [3] Colquitt PJ. Will the millimetre of mercury be replaced by the kilopascal? J Hypertens. 1999 Feb;17(2):305-6. No abstract available. PMID: 10067802 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] [4]Colquitt PJ. Electronic sphygmomanometers: are they a source of mercury in hospitals? Hypertension. 2002 Mar 1;39(3):e21. No abstract available. PMID: 11897776 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] [5] National Electrical Manufacturer's Association. Mercury in fluorescent lamps. http://lightingdesignlab.com/articles/mercury_in_fl/mercurycfl.htm Accessed on May 10, 2002. [6] Michele DiCarlo, Bruce Ruck, and Steven Marcus How Should a Fever Mercury Thermometer be Disposed of? A Survey of Those Likely to be Asked Pediatrics 2002; 109: e71