Study shows that Mercury is not disposed properly

Each time one of these thermostats is thrown away the mercury in them ends up in our atmosphere and ultimately inside the fish we eat, which can lead to serious health problems.  Currently the manufacturers of these thermostats have a collection program that properly disposes of the mercury.

According to Chris Bathurst of Clean Water Act, they are collecting less than five percent of them in Massachusetts.

“For example, like Maine, they capture about 43 of these thermostats for every 10,000 folks. In Massachusetts, it's 4.3 for every 10,000, “Said Bathurst.

Clean Water Action has released their findings in this study and they hope that legislators crack down on these manufacturers to step up their collection programs.