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Mercury is the only metal that, when in pure form, is liquid at room temperature; it conducts electricity and expands evenly in response to changes to pressure or temperature. These properties have made mercury a widely used product in household, commercial, medical and industrial applications. Mercury is also one of the most poisonous natural substances known.
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It's easy to have your older mercury-containing thermostat switched for a programmable thermostat. Here, Peter Love from the Ontario Power Authority, a participating homeowner and a heating and cooling contractor, switch an older mercury-containing thermostat for a new energy efficient, programmable thermostat. |
Despite mercury's toxicity and the availability of alternatives for almost all uses, 100 tonnes of mercury is found in Canada in thousands of products such as fluorescent lamps, thermostats, thermometers and button batteries, as well as in industrial applications.
We handle mercury-containing products every day, around the house, in the workplace – even children's toys have been found to contain mercury switches or mercury-containing batteries. An extensive list of mercury-containing products is available from Environment Canada.
For more information on the safe disposal of liquid mercury and household items that contain mercury, please contact your local municipalities’ hazardous waste office. |
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