Idaho environmental agency issues warning about mercury in toy jewelry

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has issued a warning about mercury in toy jewelry. DEQ says mercury-filled glass pendants pose a serious health risk at home and in the classroom. If the glass is broken or leaks around the pendant's cord anchor, highly toxic liquid mercury is released and vaporizes. Even brief inhaling of mercury vapors can cause shortness of breath, chest pain and tightness, coughing, and increase in blood pressure or heart rate. High exposures can result in permanent brain or kidney damage, according to DEQ. There have been two recent mercury incidents in Idaho involving jewelry. One at Borah High School and one in the Shoshone School District. DEQ advises parents to dispose of necklaces, thermometers, or other objects containing mercury by sealing in hard plastic containers and taking to a household hazardous waste collection center that accepts mercury. If no center is available, DEQ recommends contacting the county solid waste department for safe disposal options.