Mercury in Schools

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For several years the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) has collaborated with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) and Bowling Green State University (BGSU) to provide an elemental mercury removal service for our schools.  Our sanitarians can collect and remove many of the mercury items that are typically found in the school environment.  Mercury devices are picked up from this office and transported to BGSU by the OEPA  on an as needed basis.  After reaching BGSU, the elemental mercury is recycled by Rader Environmental Services.

House Bill 443 became a law on January 4, 2007.  The new law places prohibitions on the sale and purchase of mercury items in schools.  Follow this link for a synopsis of the new law.   New Mercury Ban  In addition to HB 443, the proposed school rules being developed in accordance with HB 203 (Jarod's Law), prohibit the use of mercury items like thermometers.  For this reason, it is recommended that schools take advantage of the services available to voluntarily remove mercury-containing items as soon as possible

This program provides for the removal of elemental mercury only.  Mercury amalgams cannot be accepted by this office.  Devices longer than 18 inches will not fit into CCBH transport containers, thus, cannot be accepted.  To schedule a pickup or inquire further please contact Matt Johnson, Program Manager at (216) 201-2001 x1238 or mjohnson@ccbh.net.

Mercury items between 18 - 28 inches in length can be removed from the school by contacting the OEPA at (330) 963 - 1211.

Mercury Facts