Mower County will provide digital thermometers to replace mercury thermometers.

The campaign got underway this week, during Earth Week.

Margene Gunderson, director of community health services for Mower County, announced the campaign at Tuesday's meeting of the Mower County Board of Commissioners.

According to Gunderson, mercury thermometers have been in households for years. Parents today grew up with mercury thermometers in their homes.

But, a danger may exist.

"Liquid mercury has been a useful measuring device," Gunderson said. "If mercury thermometers accidentally break, they can be a health risk. Mercury is a toxic substance that can harm both humans and wildlife."

"If spilled, liquid mercury can hide in tracks in the floor or soak into carpet," Gunderson said. "It can evaporate into the air and can potentially reach dangerous levels in indoor air. "

"Mercury can affect the human brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver," she said.

According to Gunderson, there are alternatives to mercury thermometers. Digital thermometer are the least-expensive model.

Residents of Mower County may take

mercury thermometers to the Mower County Recycling and Hazardous Waste Center

or the Mower County Public Health office and exchange them for new digital thermometers.

The campaign called "Get the Mercury Out" will continues while supplies of the digital thermometers last.

Gunderson also advised residents should not throw old mercury thermometers into the garbage. "If you do this," she said, "the mercury will find its way into the environment through the air or water. This exposure can be harmful to living things, including humans."

Residents should take the mercury thermometers to the county's recycling and household hazardous waste center for proper disposal, according to Gunderson.

For more information, call the recycling center at 437-9551 or the pubic health office at 437-9770.

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.