There Were A Shocking 9 Mercury Spills In Missouri In 2023, And Now The State Is Fighting Back
By Beth Price-Williams|Published February 15, 2024
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Most of us divide our garbage into two piles – trash and recycling. But there are some items – notably those, like thermometers, that contain mercury – that require special consideration when disposing. Failure to dispose of mercury properly can have serious consequences, particularly health-wise. After nine mercury spills in Missouri in 2023, the state has issued a reminder of the importance of proper disposal and what to do in case of a spill and exposure.
After nine mercury spills in Missouri in 2023, including one in which someone poured mercury down a college sink, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is leading efforts to reeducate the public about the importance of proper disposal of items that contain mercury.
Common household products that contain mercury include thermometers, thermostats, light switches, and fluorescent lights. If you need to discard an item with mercury, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources advises contacting your local household hazardous waste facility.
While mercury can have negative health effects on anyone who is exposed, infants and children are particularly vulnerable. If you believe you’ve been exposed to mercury, contact a doctor immediately.
If you’ve been exposed to mercury, you may suffer from such side effects as nausea, diarrhea, lung damage, eye irritation, and skin rashes. In the long term, memory problems, insomnia, and tremors may occur.
When mercury spills, some of it typically gets into the air and can then spread over long distances. “Mercury is toxic when inhaled or absorbed through the skin,” according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, which makes cleanup particularly important.
Even a slight amount of spilled mercury, like that from a thermometer, can prove dangerous in the long term if it’s not properly cleaned up. If you’ve had a mercury spill in your home, clear the room in which the spill has occurred.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources warns against attempting to clean up the spill. Instead, call 573-634-2436, the Environmental Emergency Response’s round-the-clock hotline.
Were you aware of the mercury spills in Missouri in 2023? Let us know in the comments! In addition to having an understanding of the dangers of mercury, we should also know what other risks we may face in Missouri. Here, for example, are several dangerous animals in Missouri. Keep an eye out for these dangerous animals in Missouri by placing a trail cam in your yard.
