Mercury recycling planned for Durant
Comments
2
By John David Sutter
Published: April 16, 2008
Environmental officials announced Tuesday a one-time mercury recycling program in the southern Oklahoma town of Durant.
Advertisement
Several hospitalizations
Since 2006, the EPA has responded to six emergency spills of mercury in Oklahoma. The spills — some of them accidental — resulted in several hospitalizations.
The recycling event will be held at the fire department in Durant, located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Evergreen Street. The program continues through May 10; it is free and open to anyone without risk of prosecution, said Jason Dalton, director of emergency management in Bryan County.
In most circumstances, it is illegal for people to possess more than a pound (about four tablespoons) of mercury within the state of Oklahoma.
"Our goal is to get as much mercury (as possible) off the streets and out of people's homes,” Dalton said. Mercury is found in some older household products and appliances, but is a potent neurotoxin when spilled or released into the air. It is dangerous to throw mercury in the trash or pour it into a sink or toilet.
The EPA will recycle the metal.
Dalton said the event in Bryan County is one time only. If residents recycle large quantities of mercury in coming weeks, officials will try to plan another event, he said.
Only two cities in Oklahoma — Oklahoma City and Midwest City — operate hazardous waste centers that accept mercury.
Toolbar sponsored by: David Stanley Ford
Related Topics:
Environmental Protection, Nature and the Environment


Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
cells (Parran et al., Toxicol Sci 2005; 86: 132-140).
2 ppb mercury = U.S. EPA limit for drinking water.
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html#mcls
20 ppb mercury = Neurite membrane structure destroyed (Leong et al.,
Neuroreport 2001; 12: 733-37).
200 ppb mercury = level in liquid the EPA classifies as hazardous
waste.
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mercury/regs.htm#hazwaste
25,000 ppb mercury = Concentration of mercury in the Hepatitis B
vaccine, administered at birth in the U.S., from 1990-2001.
50,000 ppb Mercury = Concentration of mercury in multi-dose DTaP and
Haemophilus B vaccine vials, administered 4 times each in the 1990's
to children at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months of age.
Current "preservative" level mercury in multi-dose flu (94% of
supply), meningococcal and tetanus (7 and older) vaccines. This can
be confirmed by simply analyzing the multi- dose vials. "