One-for-One Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program

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One-for-One Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program
SHEPO

• NAA EMS Program
• Safety, Health, Environmental Protection Office

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GOALS

• Abolish the use of mercury thermometers
• Address mercury hazard awareness
• Implement a successful mercury thermometer
  exchange program
• Promote the substitution of mercury filled
  thermometers with non-mercury thermometers.

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Program Elements

• Research the alternative thermometers for
  laboratory use
• Cost/ Benefit analysis of each alternative
• Meet with research leaders, veterinarian's, and
  technicians about mercury thermometer
  alternatives to determine their needs
• Match the users needs with appropriate
  thermometers
• Poster Presentation
• Conduct Trials, evaluate the choices in each
  application

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Availability (veterinary)

• There are no organic/alcohol type thermometers
  available for veterinary use.
• Recommended alternative for the mercury
  thermometer Geratherm
• Geratherm is made up of Galistan, which is a
  Indium, Tin, and Gallium alloy.
• This product is environmentally safe(approved by
  the FDA), less expensive than Teflon coating
  mercury thermometers, and easily decontaminated.
• We have ordered a few to try a study for accuracy

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Availability (Laboratory)

• Many options
• Red spirit (organic)
• Alcohol based
• Enviro-safe
• Digital
• These products are available through Fisher
  Scientific, Ertco, and many other laboratory
  supply companies.

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Websites and phone numbers for non-mercury
thermometer alternatives

• Geratherm. R.G.Enterprises Inc www.1thermometer.co
  m. 1-888-596-5162. Ask for Jon Nelson (veterinary
  use)
• Vet-Temp(digital) 1-800-549-3904. Ask for Dr.
  Steve Peterson. www.pet-thermometer.com
• Red Spirit/ Alcohol/ Enviro-safe. Available at
  Ertco (www.Ertco.com), Fisher Scientific
  (www.fishersci.com). For laboratory use
• For some interesting mercury pollutant facts
  http//epa.gov/grtlakes/bndocs/hg/thermfaq.html
  Alexis Cain, EPA was very helpful while
  researching the effects of mercury on the human
  and environment.