VERMONT'S DAIRY MANOMETER COLLECTION, REPLACEMENT AND DISP0SAL PROGRAM

• An estimated 100 manometers are currently used on Vermont's 1,760 working dairy farms;

• Each manometer contains one-half pound of mercury;

• Cost estimates to remove mercury containing manometer, dispose of mercury and replace with mercury-free alternative run up to $500 per farm;

• In comparison, the cost to remove the one pound of mercury from 18,000 light bulbs is $9,000.

WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT MERCURY?

$ Neurotoxic and fetotoxic

$ Very mobile in environment;

$ Highly volatile (odorless, colorless vapor)

$ Bioaccumulates in certain species of wildlife;

$ Expensive to clean up if spilled.

2001 REPORT

Contact annie@agr.state.vt.us if you have a mercury manometer that needs replacing, or for more information.