Mercury is a heavy metal that is toxic to animal nervous systems in very small amounts and impairs the ability of aquatic birds and fish to reproduce and develop healthy offspring. San Francisco Bay is the defining feature of our region and yet it is recommended that adults eat no more than one serving of Bay fish each month due to high mercury levels found in local fish.

Much of the problem stems from historical mercury deposits from the gold rush era which carried “quick silver” from the California Sierra Range and New Almaden mine in San Jose. In more recent times, mercury has entered the Bay from air deposition, stormwater and treated wastewater.

Help keep new mercury sources out of the Bay:

• Safely recycle mercury-containing thermometers and thermostats at monthly Household Hazardous Waste events and at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP), Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
• Recycle expired fluorescent lights and compact fluorescent bulbs at participating hardware stores.
• Purchase low mercury fluorescent lights when you are ready to replace existing lamps.
• NEVER dispose of mercury down a drain of any kind. Sweep any exposed mercury droplets into a sealed plastic bag and bring to a household hazardous waste event or to the RWQCP.