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Universal Wastes – Mercury Waste

Mercury Waste Home | Managing Mercury Waste Fact Sheet

Reducing the Impact of Mercury in California | AB 1415 Sales Ban Exemptions

What is Universal Waste?

Mercury-containing products exhibit hazardous characteristics as described in the California Code of Regulations, title 22, chapter 11 and are classified as a type of hazardous waste called “universal waste”. Universal wastes (UW) are hazardous wastes that pose a lower immediate risk to people and the environment when handled properly. Due to this lower risk, universal wastes can be handled and transported under more relaxed rules compared to other hazardous wastes.

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What is Mercury Waste?

Mercury-added products includes any product or device that contains mercury. These mercury-added products and equipment can be a major source of mercury contamination in the environment. Mercury does not break down in the environment and it can build-up in the tissues of fish, which may then be consumed by people. Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that can cause a variety of adverse health effects such as nerve damage and birth defects.

» Learn more about the toxic effects of mercury and what California is doing to reduce mercury’s impact

A mercury thermostat contains about 3 grams of mercury, and it can take only one gram of mercury to contaminate an entire 20-acre lake.

Even though many mercury-added products and equipment were banned in California in 2006, there are still mercury products in circulation in California today. All of these mercury-added products must be disposed of properly in order to limit further environmental contamination and prevent potential harm to humans and animals.

Mercury-containing products are subject to universal waste regulations. Disposal of these items in a solid waste landfill is prohibited by law.

Mercury Waste Commonly Found in the Home

* The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned mercury from cosmetics (21 CFR 700.13).

For more information on dental fillings, visit the FDA’s Dental Amalgam Fillings webpage.

How Do You Know if a Product Contains Mercury?

  • Look for the mercury symbol, Hg, on the product or product packaging.
  • Some products, such as cosmetics, may actually list mercury in their ingredients label.

Resources for Identifying Mercury-Containing Products

Household Disposal Requirements

To reduce your risk of exposure, it is important to properly dispose of mercury-containing products. Because of mercury’s potential to harm humans and the environment, it is illegal to dispose of mercury-containing products in the trash. Keep items with liquid mercury, such as thermostats and thermometers, intact when possible. Do not attempt to remove the mercury. 

» What do I do if I accidentally break a mercury-containing product?

What To Do With Mercury Waste

When possible, place mercury-containing products in a sealed bag or container to reduce the risk of mercury leakage and exposure. 

Where should I take my used mercury-containing equipment?

For information on local collection programs:

You may also find the following resources useful

Banning the Sale of Mercury-Added Products and Equipment

In 2006, as a response to concerns for both human and environmental health, the California legislature passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1415 banning the sale and distribution of many mercury-added products and equipment, including:

  • Mercury switches, relays, and diostats
  • Products containing mercury switches or relays
  • Barometers
  • Esophageal dilators, bougie tubes, or gastrointestinal tubes
  • Flow meters
  • Hydrometers or psychometers
  • Manometers
  • Pyrometers
  • Sphygmanometers
  • Thermometers
  • Thermostats

This ban does not apply to the sale and distribution of a mercury-added product in California if:

  1. The use of the product is required under a federal law or federal contract specification;
  2. The only mercury-added component in the product is a button cell battery; or
  3. The mercury switch or relay is used to replace those same components in larger products in use before July 1, 2006, if one of the following applies:
    • The larger product is used in manufacturing or
    • The switches and relays are not physically separate from the larger product

Exemptions to the Sales Ban on Mercury-Containing Products

There are certain conditions under which a business can request an exemption to the sales ban implemented by AB 1415.

Learn More

Are You A Universal Waste Handler?

Refer to the California Code of Regulations, title 22, chapter 23 which provides the regulatory standards for universal waste handlers. 

Mercury Waste Regulations

Refer to the universal waste regulations to learn the requirements for universal waste handlers managing mercury waste.

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Mercury Waste Management Fact Sheet

Find more information about managing mercury waste at facilities handling solid waste and recyclable materials.

Learn More

Universal Waste Fact Sheet

Find more information on what universal waste is and how it should be handled by both the universal waste handlers and the public.

Learn More

Mercury-Containing Equipment FAQs

What steps must be taken prior to crushing, baling, shearing, or shredding a motor vehicle?

If a motor vehicle is equipped with one or more mercury switches that are also mercury-containing motor vehicle light switches, the handler must remove all such mercury switches (except those that cannot be removed due to accidental damage to the vehicle) or ensure that all such mercury switches (except those that cannot be removed due to accidental damage to the vehicle) have already been removed prior to crushing, baling, shearing, or shedding a motor vehicle. Once removed, the mercury switches must be handled as mercury waste and cannot be disposed of in the trash.

What records must someone keep if they remove a mercury switch from a vehicle?

If you remove mercury switches from a vehicle, then you must keep the following records for at least three years:

  • How many vehicles you crushed, baled, shredded, or sheared,
  • How many of the vehicles had mercury switches,
  • How many mercury switches you removed from the vehicles, and
  • How many vehicles had mercury switches that you could not remove because of accident damage

What are mercury relays, mercury switches, and mercury diostats?

Mercury Relay

A mercury relay is a mercury-added product or device that opens or closes electrical contacts to effect the operation of other devices in the same or another electrical circuit.

Examples of mercury relays:

  • Mercury displacement relays
  • Mercury wetted reed relays
  • Mercury contact relays

Mercury Switch

A mercury switch is a mercury-added product or device that opens and closes an electrical circuit or gas valve.

Examples of mercury switches:

  • Mercury float switches
  • Mercury tilt switches
  • Mercury pressure switches

Note A mercury switch DOES NOT include a mercury containing thermostat or a diostat.

Mercury Diostat

A mercury diostat is a mercury switch that controls a gas valve in an oven or oven portion of a gas range.

Definition Resources

Health and Safety Code section 25214.8.1

  • subdivision (b)(3) – Mercury Relays
  • subdivision (b)(4) – Mercury Switches
  • subdivision (b)(4)(C) – Mercury Diostats
  • subdivision (b)(1) – Mercury-Added Products

 

Laws & Regulations

HSC = California Health and Safety Code

CCR = California Code of Regulations

Additional Resources

U.S. EPA

Mercury

What to Do if You Have Mercury in Your Home

Mercury in Dental Amalgam

For Additional Questions, Contact the Regulatory Assistance Office

Toll-Free in CA: 800-728-6942 or 800 72-TOXIC
Outside CA: 916-324-2439
Email: RAO@dtsc.ca.gov

Last updated: April 20, 2023

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