Pennsylvania's "Mercury Free Thermostat Law"
For years thermostats have been made with a small vial of mercury (center top in picture) that was used to make electrical contact based on temperature.
Newer digital thermostats does not contain mercury so as consumers replace the old with the new -- there is the possibility of contamination from disposal of the old style thermostats. Mercury can contaminate the air and the water and is a neurotoxin ... it is nasty stuff!
" ... Pennsylvania's new Mercury-Free Thermostat Law ... will allow people to safely dispose of out-of-service thermostats containing mercury."
" ... Law, effective December 8, 2009, bans the sale, installation and disposal of mercury thermostats. ... requires that thermostat manufacturers establish and maintain a collection and recycling program for out-of-service mercury thermostats; ... Wholesalers who sell thermostats must participate as a collection site for mercury thermostats."
Via: nbcbayarea.com LINK