To: Michigan Health Care Providers

From: Brendan Boyle, Michigan Department of Community Health

Subject: Thermometer Safes

We are all aware of the health hazards of breathing mercury vapors, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Yet those are the most often people expose when a mercury thermometer breaks and mercury is released. There are many prevention projects under way nationwide but we would like you to join us in a very simple but potentially effective practice to secure some of the thermometers out in the community until they can be safely disposed of.

We are asking you to have staff members that are making in-person contact with your patients give them a two-baggie set and encourage them to secure their mercury thermometers in them when they get home. This simple transaction will raise their awareness of the hazard, isolate the hazard within their home, and move the mercury one step closer to appropriate disposal.

We welcome your questions or comments and will be happy to facilitate contact patient with local health agencies should the need arise. Our toll free number in the Toxicology and Response Section is 1-800-MITOXIC (1-800-648-6942). My direct phone line is (517) 335-8138. Thanks in advance for your collaboration on this effort.