Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656
Most people don't realize, but mercury contamination has been a real issue in New York State. Environmental Protection Agency claimed that throwing away thermostats in regular trash are a major source of contamination.
According to CBS Money Watch, mercury is highly toxic to the brain and nervous system, especially for developing infants and children. The state health department has issued health warnings against consuming fish from the Catskills, Adirondacks and nearly 100 bodies of water elsewhere due to mercury contamination.
New York State passed a law in 2005 phasing out the sale of mercury containing thermostats and banning the disposal of most consumer products containing mercury. This law has not been enforced, considering that no effective collection programs took place for old thermostats.According to CBS Money Watch, 99% of the estimated 310,000 mercury thermostats that have been taken out of service each year in New York end up in the trash.
Over time, as little as 1 gram of airborne mercury can contaminate fish in a 20 acre lake over time, according to the interstate Mercury Education and Reduction Clearinghouse.
In New York, proposed thermostat recycling laws have been considered by the state for the past couple of years, but both have failed to pass. They are still trying to get a law passed today.
To learn more, give us a call at: 718-416-1656
Please visit our website: www.borowiderecycling.com
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