Massachusetts is doing a poor job getting the dangerous chemical out of circulation.

Last week, the Mercury Products Campaign (whose members include Clean Water Action and the Vermont and New York Public Interest Research Groups) released a report, "Turning Up the Heat," in which they warned that as existing mercury thermostats are eventually retired, they will only add to the problem unless significant changes are made.

"We need the Massachusetts legislature to close the loop," Saunders said. Four years ago, lawmakers "did amazing work" in passing the ban on mercury thermostats; now, she said, "we need to finish the job."