Missouri DNR Offering Mercury Drop-Off Points | freshare.net

Missouri DNR Offering Mercury Drop-Off Points

By Missouri DNR

First posted on 06-22-2010

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is launching a summer-long effort to rid homes of mercury, with nearly 50 mercury drop-off locations throughout the state.

The department is working with fire departments and county health offices to provide drop-off buckets in communities statewide. Private citizens or nonprofit agencies can visit these sites and leave mercury-containing instruments, like thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, thermostats or switches.

The department is asking that anyone seeking to dispose of items at these sites prepare the items for drop off by first securing the item in two zip-top bags and then placing it in a sealed container such as a coffee can or plastic margarine tub. The extra packaging is required to prevent the release of mercury if the item breaks while being transported.

The program, however, does not include compact fluorescent bulbs. A fact sheet detailing the proper disposal of these bulbs is available on the department’s website at dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2273.pdf.

The Department of Natural Resources will collect the dropped off items after the campaign ends on Oct. 22 and transport them to Jefferson City. A state contractor will then pick up the items and reclaim what can be recycled, then proper dispose of any remaining items.

Anyone who is uncomfortable with transporting mercury instruments, or who has large quantities of mercury, can contact the department’s spill line at 573-634-2436 to arrange to have items picked up.

The list of drop off sites in Missouri is listed below. Please call the site before taking mercury instruments for disposal, and never leave items if the facility is closed. Unless otherwise noted, drop-off hours are Monday through Friday:

In Southwest Missouri:

* Christian County Health Department, 301 E. Brick, Ozark, 417-581-7285. Call for hours.
* Lawrence County Health Department, 105 W. North St., Mt. Vernon, 417-466-2201, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
* Jasper County Health Department, 105 Lincoln, Carthage, 417-358-0481, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed noon – 1 p.m.)
* Newton County Health Department, 812 W. Harmony, Neosho, 417-451-3743, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
* Stone County Health Department – North Office, 109 E. Fourth St., Galena, 417-357-8200. Call for hours.
* Stone County Health Department – South Office, 16914 State Highway 13, Branson West, 417-272-0050. Call for hours.
* Taney County Health Department – East Office, 15479 U.S. Highway 160, Forsyth, 417-546-4725. Call for hours.
* Taney County Health Department – West Office, 320 Rinehart Road, Branson, 417-334-4544 ext 247. Call for hours.
* Webster County Health Department, 233 E. Washington, Marshfield, 417-859-2532, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* Department of Natural Resources Southwest Regional Office, 2040 W. Woodland, Springfield, 417-891-4300, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* Computer Recycling Center, 1434 N. National, Springfield, 417-866-2588, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

In Southeast Missouri:

* Cape Girardeau Health Department, 1121 Linden St., 573-335-7846, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
* Dent County Health Department, 601 S. MacArthur, Salem, 573-729-3106, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
* West Plains Fire Department, 302 Jackie D. Garrett Drive, 417-256-2424, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* Perry County Health Department, 406 N. Spring St., Perryville, 573-547-6564, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
* St. Francois County Health Department, 1025 W. Main, Park Hills, 573-431-1947, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
* Missouri Department of Natural Resources – Southeast Regional Office, 2155 N. Westwood, Poplar Bluff, 573-840-9750, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* Scott County Health Department, 102 Grove Estates Court, Sikeston, 573-471-4044, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
* Dunklin County Health Department, 410 Teaco Road, Kennett, 573-888-9008, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
* Texas County Health Department, 950 N. Highway 63, Houston, 417-967-4131, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Friday.

In Central Missouri:

* Osage County Emergency Management Office, 205 East Main, Linn, 573-897-0911.
* Missouri Department of Natural Resources, 2710 W. Main St., Jefferson City, 573-634-2436.
* Gasconade County 911 Center, 405A East Lincoln, Owensville, 573-437-7770.
* Phelps County Health Department, 200 N. Main St., Rolla, 1-800-301-4942.
* Sedalia Fire Department, 600 South Hancock, Sedalia, 660-826-8044.

In St. Louis:

* St. Charles Fire Department, 400 North Drive, 636-949-3572.  Call before delivery.
* Franklin County Fire Department/Emergency Management Agency, 200 E. 14th St., Washington, 636-390-1020. Call for hours.
* Jefferson County Health Department, 405 Main St., Hillsboro, 636-789-3372, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Thursday.
* Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Emergency Response Section, Rt. 66 State Park Visitors Center, 97 N. Outer Road, Eureka, 636-938-7808 or 636-938-7809. Call before delivery.

In Kansas City:

* Harrisonville Fire Department, 903 S. Commercial, 816-380-8952, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Call ahead on weekends.
* Belton Fire Department, 16300 N. Mullen Rd., 816-331-7969, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily.
* Belton Fire Department, 223 Main St., 816-331-7969, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily.
* Excelsior Springs Fire Department, 1120 Tracy, 816-630-3000, Daily 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
* Clinton County Health Department, 106 Bush St., Plattsburg, 816-539-2144, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
* Tri-County Heath Department, 302 N Park, Stanberry, 660-783-2707, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
* St. Joseph/Buchanan County Health Department, 904 S. 10th St., 816-271-4635, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
* Maryville Department of Public Safety, 222 E. 3rd St., 660-560-3209, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
* Kansas City Household Hazardous Waste Center, 4707 Deramus, 816-784-2082, Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. or by appointment.
* Platte County Health Department, 1201 East St., Parkville, 816-858-2412. Call for hours.
* Platte County Health Department, 212 Marshall Road, Platte City, 816-858-2412. 

In Northeast and North central Missouri:

* Mexico Department of Public Safety, 300 N. Coal, 573-581-2100, Sun. – Sat.
* Moberly Fire Department, 310 N. Clark St., 660-269-8705.
* Macon Fire Department, 201 Jackson St., 660-385-6436.
* Carrollton Fire Department, 710 Harvest Hills Drive, 660-542-2178.
* Hannibal Fire Department, 205 S. Fourth St., 573-221-0657.
* Trenton Fire Department, 1001 E. 17th St., 660-269-8705.
* Chillicothe Fire Department, 700 Second St., 660-646-2139.
* Kirksville Fire Department, 401 N. Franklin St., 660-665-3734.
* Marshall Fire Department, 471 W. Arrow St., 660-886-3312.

Metallic mercury is liquid at room temperature and has no odor. It was once commonly used in thermometers, barometers, switches and blood-pressure measuring devices.

When spilled, some of the metal will evaporate into the air and can be carried long distances. Mercury is toxic when inhaled. Improper clean up with a vacuum, paintbrush or household cleaner increases exposure by dispersing the mercury into the air.

For more information on the mercury roundup, contact the nearest participating agency or the department’s Environmental Services Program at 573-634-2436.