The Stone County Health Department (SCHD) is collaborating with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to launch a countywide roundup to rid Stone County of mercury by providing drop-off locations at our Galena and Branson West offices from now until May 31, 2012.
Private citizens or nonprofit agencies can leave mercury-containing instruments like thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, thermostats or switches at either SCHD location. This program does not include compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFLs. A fact sheet detailing the proper disposal of CFLs is available on DNR’s website: dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2273.pdf. Citizens seeking to dispose of items at these sites should first secure the item in two zip-top plastic bags and then place it in a crush-proof sealed container, such as a coffee can, plastic margarine tub, or plastic beverage bottle. A person who is uncomfortable with transporting mercury instruments, or who has large quantities of mercury, can contact DNR’s spill line at 573-634-2436 to arrange to have items picked up.
Please call the SCHD before taking mercury instruments for disposal, and never leave items if the health department is closed. SCHD is open Monday through Friday (except designated state and federal holidays):

SCHD Galena Office, 109 E. 4th St., 417-357-8200, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
· SCHD Branson West Office, 16914 State Highway 413, 417-272-0050

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The mercury roundup will end May 31. DNR staff will then collect the dropped off items for consolidation and transport them to Jefferson

City to recycle what can be recycled and properly dispose of the rest. For more information on the mercury roundup, contact the SCHD’s Environmental Services Program at 417-357-8200 or DNR at 573-634-2436. A list of available mercury drop-off sites is available at: dnr.mo.gov/env/esp/mercuryroundup-dnr.htm. Additional information on mercury, including health effects and how to clean up a small mercury spill, is available on DNR’s website: dnr.mo.gov/env/mercury.htm.

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