A1

Office of Chemical Safety and 

Pollution Prevention

Publication #740B13001

June 2013

www.epa.gov

Replacing Mercury-Containing Non-Fever Thermome 

A A A Guide for Federal Agencies

A Guide for Federal Agencies on Replacing 

Mercury-Containing Non-Fever Thermometers
2

Table of Contents

I. Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 3

A. Health and Environmental Issues................................................................................................ 3

B. Federal Efforts.............................................................................................................................. 3

C. Costs to Clean up Mercury Spills.................................................................................................. 5

II. Where Mercury-Containing Non-Fever Thermometers May Be Found................................................. 5

III. Examples of Mercury-Free Non-Fever Thermometers.......................................................................... 6

A. Resistance Temperature Detectors ............................................................................................ 6

B. Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometers............................................................................ 7

C. Thermistors.................................................................................................................................. 7

D. Thermocouples............................................................................................................................ 8

E. Organic-Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers....................................................................................... 9

F. Dial Thermometers and Bimetallic Thermometers.................................................................... 10

G. Infrared Thermometers............................................................................................................. 10

H. Comparison of Accuracies for Platinum Resistance Thermometers, Thermistors, 

 and Base-Metal Thermocouples ............................................................................................... 11

IV. Purchasing Mercury-Free Non-Fever Thermometers....................................................................12

V. Disposing of Mercury-Containing Non-Fever Thermometers .........................................................13

VI. References ............................................................................................................................................ 14

Appendix: Sample Table for Tracking Mercury-Containing Thermometers ............................................A1
3

I. Introduction

This guide provides federal agencies with information to help them identify and replace mercurycontaining non-fever thermometers in their facilities with mercury-free thermometers. The guide is also 

intended to help federal agencies safely dispose of the removed thermometers. Fever thermometers 

are not addressed in this document.

A. Health and Environmental Issues

Elemental (metallic) mercury primarily causes health effects when it is breathed as a vapor and 

absorbed through the lungs. These exposures can occur when elemental mercury is spilled or products 

that contain elemental mercury break and expose mercury to the air, particularly in warm or poorlyventilated indoor spaces. The factors that determine how severe the health effects are from mercury 

exposure include the following: the chemical form of mercury; the dose; the age of the person exposed 

(the fetus is the most susceptible); the duration of exposure; the route of exposure -- inhalation, 

ingestion, dermal contact, etc.; and the health of the person exposed. 

Symptoms of exposure to elemental mercury can include these: tremors; emotional changes (e.g., mood 

swings, irritability, nervousness, excessive shyness); insomnia; neuromuscular changes (such as 

weakness, muscle atrophy, twitching); headaches; disturbances in sensations; changes in nerve 

responses; performance deficits on tests of cognitive function. At higher exposures there may be kidney 

effects, respiratory failure and death. 

Mercury use in products such as thermometers can lead to releases to the environment during the 

manufacturing of the products; from spills and breakage during use; and during the recycling, collection 

and disposal of these products. Concerns about public health are primarily based on the risk of exposure 

due to mercury spills not cleaned up properly and from improper disposal of broken thermometers 

resulting in mercury releases through incineration or land application of sludge. Non-fever 

thermometers are widely used in industrial, laboratory or health-care settings, but in most cases 

effective non-mercury alternative products exist.

B. Federal Efforts 

Executive Order 13514 (pdf) (11 pp, 151kb) About PDF (“Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and 

Economic Performance”) encourages federal agencies to advance environmental goals including 

sustainable acquisition by acquiring products that are non-toxic or less toxic alternatives

(www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2009-10-08/pdf/E9-24518.pdf). Replacing mercury-containing non-fever 

thermometers with mercury-free devices is one way for federal agencies to work toward achieving this 

goal. 

As part of efforts to reduce the use of mercury in products, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) is encouraging federal agencies, industry and others to phase out the use of mercury-containing

non-fever thermometers. An important barrier to phase-out has been the existence of industry and 

government standards and test methods that specifically require laboratory and industrial mercury-in-
4

glass thermometers. To address this technical problem, EPA has been working closely with other 

standards-setting organizations to help revise government test methods or standards that require the 

use of mercury-containing thermometers where effective and comparable mercury-free alternatives 

exist. 

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is the primary U.S. government agency 

devoted to advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. NIST has determined that 

there are no fundamental barriers to the replacement of mercury-containing thermometers. As a result, 

as of March 1, 2011, NIST no longer calibrates mercury-containing non-fever thermometers. This action 

provides further incentive for government agencies to switch to mercury-free thermometers. 

ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), develops 

international voluntary consensus standards, and EPA incorporates many ASTM standards into its 

regulations. ASTM is in the process of evaluating its approximately 839 standards that require mercuryin-glass industrial and laboratory thermometers, and has begun updating its standards to allow use of 

mercury-free thermometers wherever appropriate. For a list of updated ASTM standards, see ASTM 

Standards Permitting Use of Alternative Non-Mercury Thermometers (pdf) (7 pp, 127 kb) About PDF

(www.epa.gov/hg/pdfs/astm_standards.pdf). Each time an ASTM standard referenced in an EPA

regulation is updated to allow increased flexibility to use mercury-free alternatives; EPA must then 

update references to these methods in its regulations in order to allow a person subject to the

regulation to use the updated standard to fulfill the regulation’s requirements. On January 18, 2012, EPA 

issued a new rule (pdf) (11 pp, 198 kb) About PDF that updated references to three ASTM standards to 

allow the use of mercury-free thermometers in certain field and laboratory applications relevant to 

petroleum refining, power generation, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) waste disposal

(www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-18/pdf/2012-712.pdf). 

In 2006 EPA initiated its own internal effort to replace mercury-containing non-fever thermometers. EPA 

has now replaced the majority of mercury-containing non-fever thermometers in Agency labs 

throughout the country. Since initiating the program, EPA labs removed and safely disposed of 

approximately 2,000 mercury-containing non-fever thermometers. To learn more about the EPA’s 

initiative to phase-out the use of mercury-containing non-fever thermometers in industrial and 

laboratory settings, visit our website (www.epa.gov/hg/thermometer.htm).

Other federal agencies have also taken steps to reduce their use of mercury-containing non-fever 

thermometers. For example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) established a Campaign for a 

Mercury Free NIH (http://orf.od.nih.gov/environmentalprotection/mercuryfree/Pages/NIH-MercuryHazard-Reduction-Campaign.aspx); and, through a 2008 policy

(http://oma.od.nih.gov/manualchapters/intramural/3033/index.html), created mandatory restrictions 

on procurement, use, and disposal of mercury. The U.S. Department of State has language in its 

Domestic Design Guidelines and Buildings Standards requiring that all thermostats be pneumatic 

(mercury-free). 

Case studies regarding other government efforts to transition to mercury-free non-fever thermometers 

are available on the website of the Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA). 

These case studies include mercury assessments completed by a shipyard (pdf) (5 pp, 126 kb) About PDF
5

(www.newmoa.org/publications/mercstudies/PortsmouthStudy1.pdf), an air force base (pdf) (5 pp, 175 

kb) About PDF (www.newmoa.org/publications/mercstudies/HanscomStudy.pdf), and an environmental 

laboratory (pdf) (4 pp, 110 kb) About PDF

(www.newmoa.org/publications/mercstudies/EPALabStudy1.pdf). 

C. Costs to Clean up Mercury Spills 

There are significant costs when cleaning up mercury spills. Spills tend to be more costly when the 

mercury is widely scattered or located on porous surfaces (New York Dept. of Health, 2009). Few studies 

have systematically assessed the cost of cleaning up mercury spills in different settings, but case studies 

indicate that small mercury spills typically cost approximately $1,000; for larger spills, usually in 

industrial or organizational settings, the cost can be more than $5,000 (Lowell Center for Sustainable 

Production, 2003; U.S. EPA Region 9, 2002).

In addition to the direct costs of cleaning up a spill and disposing of mercury-containing waste, there 

may be other costs associated with mercury spills. For example, Kaiser Permanente suggests that for 

every dollar spent on a direct mercury spill response, $1.75 is incurred in costs associated with training, 

fines, and treatment of exposure (Galligan et al., 2003).

As mentioned earlier, health and environmental costs may also be associated with mercury spills. While 

few people may immediately become ill after a spill, mercury exposure can have lasting health effects

(Knoblauch, 2009). Mercury vapor levels are often higher in confined rooms with mercury spills even 

after spill remediation, which can result in detrimental outcomes to human health and the environment

(Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, 2003). In addition, a spill is more dangerous when mercury 

thermometers break in ovens or in incubators because mercury evaporates readily at high 

temperatures, which creates high mercury concentrations.

Get information on preventing and cleaning up mercury releases and spills

(www.epa.gov/mercury/spills).

II. Where Mercury-Containing Non-Fever Thermometers May Be Found

Government agencies are encouraged to begin the process of phasing out mercury-containing non-fever 

thermometers by surveying their facilities to assess where and how many of the devices still exist. While 

most thermometers are found in laboratories, agencies may also find mercury-containing thermometers 

in other facilities. In laboratories, mercury-containing non-fever thermometers may be used in 

autoclaves, flash point equipment, incubators, ovens, refrigerators, and other devices, as well as for 

calibrating other thermometers (both mercury-containing and mercury-free). HVAC/R systems can have

mercury-containing non-fever thermometers in multiple locations, including along steam and chill lines. 

Health clinics, including dental facilities, may have such thermometers in sterilizers or refrigeration 

units. Food-related facilities may have mercury-containing non-fever thermometers in refrigerators, 

freezers, ovens, pressure cookers, and other equipment. Finally, mercury-containing non-fever
6

thermometers are often used in tank farms to check the accuracy of temperature devices inside liquid 

storage tanks.

EPA developed a sample table for surveying, tracking, and phasing out mercury-containing non-fever 

thermometers. A template based on this sample table is included in the appendix. Other agencies may 

find this useful for their own programs. 

III. Examples of Mercury-Free Non-Fever Thermometers

Accurate and reliable alternatives to mercury-containing thermometers are available for most uses. In 

this section, seven categories of such alternatives are described. The General Services Administration 

(GSA) procurement website offers most types of mercury-free thermometers (www.gsaadvantage.gov/). 

Note: Listing a product or website in this guide does not signify EPA’s endorsement of the product or 

website. Accuracies listed below may vary based on the application. 

A. Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs)

A properly chosen RTD can be used to replace almost all mercury-containing non-fever thermometers. 

The electrical resistance of the platinum or other metal rises as the temperature rises. The readout 

converts the measured resistance to indicated temperature using either a standard curve or a 

calibration function for the particular materials used in the probe. For high-vibration applications within 

the temperature range of -100 °C to 150 °C (-148 °F to 302 °F), RTDs with platinum film deposited on a 

ceramic chip work well (Strouse et al., 2010). For applications requiring broader temperature ranges or 

less uncertainty, NIST recommends wire-wound RTDs. In both cases, the sensor is typically mounted in a 

metal sheath (Strouse et al., 2010). 

Temperature range:

RTD: -200 °C to 850 °C (-328 °F to 1562 °F)

Source: http://www.omega.com/rtd.html

Accuracy: 

RTD: Grade A Tolerance = ±[0.13 +0.0017 *|t|] °C 

Grade B tolerance = ±[0.25 +0.0042 *|t|] °C 

Where: |t| is the absolute value of the RTD’s temperature in °C.

Source: http://www.temperatures.com/sensors/csensors/resistance-temperature-detectorstds/4/
7

B. Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometers (SPRTs) 

A special class of highly accurate RTDs (see above), SPRTs utilize reference grade platinum wire and can 

cost many thousands of dollars. While not very durable, their utility over a wide temperature range and 

excellent accuracy can make them an important category of mercury-free thermometers for certain uses

(Iman).

Temperature range:

SPRT: -259 °C to 962 °C (-434 °F to 1763 °F)

Source: (Li, 1996)

Accuracy:

SPRT: 0.001 °C (± 0.002 °F)

Source: (Li, 1996)

C. Thermistors

Thermistors work well in the range of -20 °C to 100 °C (-4 °F to 212 °F). Thermistors’ probes consist of 

ceramic material, in contrast to the metallic probes found in RTDs. Most stable when sealed with a glass 

coating, thermistors are best suited for uses with a low risk of mechanical shock (Strouse et al., 2010). 

The electrical resistance of the blend of metal oxides in these devices decreases as the temperature 

increases (Strouse et al., 2010). 

Temperature range: 

-40 °C to 150 °C (-40 °F to 302 °F)

Source: http://www.efunda.com/designstandards/sensors/thermistors/thermistors_intro.cfm

Accuracy: 

± 0.1 °C (± 0.18 °F) or

± 0.02 °C (± 0.036 °F)

Source: http://www.omega.com/prodinfo/thermistor.html
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D. Thermocouples

Thermocouple temperature sensors are the preferred option for applications involving mechanical 

shock and vibration. These devices measure the electric potential between two dissimilar metals, which 

varies with temperature. The International Society for Automation (ISA) Thermocouple Types E, J, K, N 

and T contain base-metals and can be used to measure temperatures up to approximately 1000 °C (1832 

°F). Types S, R, and B contain noble-metals and can be used to measure temperatures up to

approximately 2000 °C (3632 °F). The table below provides temperature range and accuracy information 

for a variety of thermocouples.

Table 1.

Properties of ISA Type Thermocouples

ISA Type

Temperature 

Range °C

Accuracy Class One Accuracy Class Two 

(contin- uous)(short- term)

E 0 to +800 −40 to 

+900

±1.5 between −40 °C and 375 °C ±0.004×T 

between 375 °C and 800 °C 

±2.5 between −40 °C and 333 °C ±0.0075×T 

between 333 °C and 900 °C

J 0 to +750 −180 to 

+800 

±1.5 between −40 °C and 375 °C ±0.004×T 

between 375 °C and 750 °C 

±2.5 between −40 °C and 333 °C ±0.0075×T 

between 333 °C and 750 °C 

K 0 to 

+1100 

−180 to 

+1300 

±1.5 between −40 °C and 375 °C ±0.004×T 

between 375 °C and 1000 °C 

±2.5 between −40 °C and 333 °C ±0.0075×T 

between 333 °C and 1200 °C 

N 0 to 

+1100 

−270 to 

+1300 

±1.5 between −40 °C and 375 °C ±0.004×T 

between 375 °C and 1000 °C 

±2.5 between −40 °C and 333 °C ±0.0075×T 

between 333 °C and 1200 °C 

T −185 to 

+300 

−250 to 

+400 

±0.5 between −40 °C and 125 °C ±0.004×T 

between 125 °C and 350 °C 

±1.0 between −40 °C and 133 °C ±0.0075×T 

between 133 °C and 350 °C 

B +200 to 

+1700 

0 to 

+1820 

Not Available ±0.0025×T between 600 °C and 1700 °C 

R

0 to 

+1600 

−50 to 

+1700 

±1.0 between 0 °C and 1100 °C ±[1 + 

0.003×(T − 1100)] between 1100 °C and 

1600 °C 

±1.5 between 0 °C and 600 °C ±0.0025×T 

between 600 °C and 1600 °C 

S

0 to 1600 −50 to 

+1750 

±1.0 between 0 °C and 1100 °C ±[1 + 

0.003×(T − 1100)] between 1100 °C and 

1600 °C 

±1.5 between 0 °C and 600 °C ±0.0025×T 

between 600 °C and 1600 °C 

Note: The accuracy classes are differentiated by their tolerances, which also vary by thermocouple type and 

temperature range. T represents temperature in degrees C.

ISA Type Thermocouple Materials:

E Chromel & Constantan (Ni-Cr & Cu-Ni)

J Iron & Constantan (Fe & Cu-Ni)

K Chromel & Alumel (Ni-Cr & Ni-Al)

N Nicrosil–Nisil (Nickel-Chromium-Silicon/Nickel-Silicon)

T Copper & Constantan (Cu & Cu-Ni)

B 70% Platinum/30% Rhodium & 94% Platinum/6% Rhodium

R Platinum & 87% Platinum/13% Rhodium (Pt & Pt-Rh) 

S Platinum & 90% Platinum/10% Rhodium (Pt & Pt-Rh)

Source: 

http://thermalfluidscentral.org/encyclopedia/index.php/Temperature_measurements_and_instrumentation
9

E. Organic-Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers

Organic-liquid-in-glass thermometers work well within the temperature range of -100 °C to 100 °C (-148

°F to 212 °F) and when an uncertainty of 0.5 °C (1 °F) is acceptable. Comprised of a glass bulb and 

cylinder, these simple thermometers contain a liquid such as alcohol or pentane. As the temperature 

within the bulb increases, the liquid expands along the cylinder. The following table compares

temperature range and accuracy information for mercury and organic-liquid-in-glass substitutes.

Table 2.

ASTM Organic Liquid-In-Glass Thermometers

ASTM Mercury 

Thermometers

ASTM Organic

Thermometers* Temperature Range Scale Error, Max**

5C / 5F S5C / S5F -38 to 50 °C (-35 to +120 °F) 0.5 °C (1 °F)

12C / 12F S12C / S12F -20 to 102 °C (-5 to 215°F) 0.15 °C (0.25 °F)

18C / 18F S18C / S18F 34 to 42 °C (94 to 108 °F) 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)

22C / 22F S22C / S22F 95 to 103 °C (204 to 218 °F) 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)

56C / 56F S56C / S56F 19 to 35 °C (66 to 95 °F) 0.10 °C (0.20 °F)

58C / 58F S58C / S58F -34 to 49 °C (-30 to 120°F) 0.3 °C (0.5 °F)

59C / 59F S59C / S59F -18 to 82 °C (0 to 180 °F) 0.3 °C (0.5 °F)

62C / 62F S62C / S62F -38 to 2 °C (-36 to + 35 °F) 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)

63C / 63F S63C / S63F -8 to 32 °C (18 to 89 °F) 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)

64C / 64F S64C / S64F 22 to 55 °C (77 to 131 °F) 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)

65C / 65F S65C / S65F 50 to 80 °C (122 to 176 °F) 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)

66C / 66F S66C / S66F 75 to 105 °C (167 to 221 °F) 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)

67C / 67F S67C / S67F 95 to 155 °C (203 to 311 °F) 0.2 °C (0.5 °F)

91C S91C 20 to 50 °C 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)

116C S116C 18.9 to 25.1 °C 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)

117C S117C 23.9 to 30.1 °C 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)

120C S120C 38.6 to 41.4 °C 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)

130C / 130F S130C / S130F -7 to 105 °C (20 to 220 °F) 0.5 °C (1 °F)

*The S’s preceding the thermometer numbers in this column denote the use of mercury-free organic 

liquid.

**Scale error is a measure of accuracy and tolerance.

Sources: ASTM Designation E1-07: Standard Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers.

ASTM Designation E2251-11: Standard Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers 

with Low Hazardous Precision Liquid.
10

F. Dial Thermometers and Bimetallic Thermometers

Dial thermometers have a wide range of uses. They feature a dial pointer attached to a temperature 

detector or sensor. The temperature sensor may be a metal strip with two different metals bound 

together in a helical structure, with each metal expanding and contracting at unequal rates 

corresponding to changes in temperature. This results in the metal strip curling and moving the pointer 

to varying temperatures. In addition, dial thermometers with fluid-filled temperature sensors are 

manufactured with liquids (such as proprietary organic liquids),

1 gases (such as nitrogen) or vapors (such 

as glycerine, silicone, or glycerine/water) as actuation materials. These actuation materials expand and 

contract with changes in temperature and revolve the dial pointer, similar to the way in which bimetallic 

strips work.

Temperature range:

-73 °C to 538 °C (-100 °F to +1000 °F)

Source: http://www.reotemp.com/pdf/card.0310.pdf

Accuracy:

± 1.0% of the device’s full temperature scale, typically

Source: http://www.reotemp.com/bimetal_dial-thermometers.html

G. Infrared Thermometers

Infrared thermometers detect radiance and can be used to measure high temperatures in applications 

such as the processing and handling of asphalt. As the technology improves, these devices may become 

useful for other purposes. 

Temperature Range:

-60 °C to 860 °C (-76 °F to 1580 °F)

Source: http://www.omega.com/manuals/manualpdf/M4424.pdf

Extended range:

Extended range infrared thermometers are also available, but generally more expensive.

550 °C to 3300 °C (1022 °F to 5972 °F)

Source: http://lumasenseinc.com/EN/products/infrared-thermometers-and-switches/series140/pyrometer-impac-is-140-pb.html

Accuracy:

±1.0 °C (± 1.8 °F)

Source: http://www.omega.com/manuals/manualpdf/M4424.pdf

0.3% of measured value in °C for < 1500 °C (2732 °F)

0.5% of measured value in °C for > 1500 °C (2732 °F)

 1 Mercury is sometimes used as the actuating liquid in dial thermometers; therefore, when seeking to use dial thermometers as 

non-mercury alternatives, users should exercise care in avoiding mercury-filled dial thermometers.
11

Source:

http://lumasenseinc.com/uploads/Products/Impac/pdf/Datasheets/Pyrometer/Series_140/IS14

0_IGA140_PB_Datasheet.pdf

H. Comparison of Accuracies for Platinum Resistance Thermometers, Thermistors, and 

Base-Metal Thermocouples

Figure 1 summarizes typical manufacturing tolerances or accuracies for a variety of mercury-free 

thermometers in units of degrees Celsius. Low tolerance correlates to high accuracy. Calibrated 

thermistors have the lowest tolerance and the highest accuracy, but their temperature range is smaller 

than those of platinum resistance thermometers and thermocouples. 

Figure 1. 

Accuracies of Platinum Resistance Thermometers (PRTs), Thermistors, and Base-Metal Thermocouples

with 0.001 to 10.000 Tolerances and -200 to +500 °C Temperatures

Source: Strouse et al., 2010.

Includes allowances for sensor drift and readout uncertainties.
12

IV. Purchasing Mercury-Free Non-Fever Thermometers

Using mercury-free thermometers in place of mercury-containing thermometers saves on the longerterm costs or life cycle costs (the cost of a thermometer from purchase to disposal). Choosing to use 

mercury-free thermometers also reduces the risk of exposures to mercury due to potential mercury 

spills. While the purchase cost of a mercury-free thermometer can be higher, that cost does not reflect 

the full life cycle cost of a mercury-containing thermometer because (1) if the thermometer were to 

break, a cost would be incurred for spill clean-up, and (2) at the end of the thermometer’s useful life, a 

cost would be incurred to properly dispose of the mercury thermometer. Therefore, the life cycle costs, 

including cleaning up mercury spills, and the training, compliance, and liability associated with 

preventing or addressing those spills, as well as disposing of the mercury-containing thermometers are

likely to be more expensive in the long run. Considering these potentials costs, many organizations see a 

mercury-free purchasing policy as the best economic policy (Health Care Without Harm).

Mercury-free thermometers are becoming more competitive in purchase price as market demand 

increases. U.S. EPA compiled Table 3 (below) based on costs for several types of thermometers available 

at www.gsaadvantage.gov. 

Table 3: Cost Comparison between Mercury-Containing and Mercury-Free Thermometers

Thermometers Price Range Average Price

Mercury-in-Glass Thermometers $24.35 to $34.58 $29.47

ASTM Certified/Calibrated $255.35 to $461.22 $358.29

Organic Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers $7.62.00 to $86.20 $46.91

ASTM Certified/Calibrated $216.25 to $1,345.38 $780.82

Resistance Temperature Detectors 

(RTDs) (hand-Held) $50.37 to $594.08 $322.23

Calibration/Multitasking2 $288.99 to $1593.13 $941.06

Probes $11.61 to $240.99 $136.80

Thermistors (Hand-Held) $35.57 to $427.12 $231.35

Calibration/Multitasking $921.50 to $5,545.86 $3233.68

Probes $8.21 to $29.60 $18.91

Probe (Certified) $986.96 $986.96

Thermocouples (Hand-Held) $18.25 to $446.07 $232.16

Calibration/Multitasking2 $186.63 to $3,387.90 $1787.27

Probes $11.57 to $477.33 $244.45

Dial Thermometer (Bimetal/General) $1.25 to $322.01 $161.53

Vapor/Gas Actuated $17.38 to $380.83 $199.11

Infrared Thermometers (General 

Purpose) $27.68 to $1,399.89 $713.79

Calibration/Multitasking $1,8171.49 to $7,912.80 $13,042.15

Standard Platinum Resistance 

Thermometers Range not available1

1

Available in the market for about $4,500 or more.
13

2

Multitasking includes: Thermometer/transducer w. 4 to 20 mA output; Temperature Reference Kit; 

Intrinsically Safe feature; Thermometers with multiple probes; Calorimetric Thermometer.

V. Disposing of Mercury-Containing Non-Fever Thermometers

Once your Agency decides to replace and dispose of mercury-containing non-fever thermometers, they 

are hazardous waste that is regulated under federal and sometimes state laws. Under the federal 

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), mercury-containing equipment, such as 

thermometers, can be managed according to standards for hazardous waste or by an alternative set of 

standards for what is known as universal waste. EPA established alternative standards to make it easier 

to collect mercury-containing equipment and other universal wastes for recycling or disposal. They 

require that people handling this equipment prevent releases to the environment by following specified 

procedures, such as placing it in labeled, sturdy, closed containers that do not leak. The federal universal 

waste regulations can be found at 40 CFR Part 273.13(c) and 273.33(c). See additional information

(www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/wastetypes/universal/mce.htm).

Some federal agencies have existing arrangements for managing universal wastes such as spent 

batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, or other mercury or non-mercury wastes. Thermometers can be 

managed along with these other universal wastes; often this means the wastes are collected by or taken 

to a waste management or environmental services company. The procedures of one federal agency are 

available here (http://oma.od.nih.gov/manualchapters/intramural/3033/index.html). If your Agency 

does not already recycle mercury items, you can find a list of mercury recyclers at Earth911.org. Note 

that if a mercury-containing device is broken and the mercury is loose, it can no longer be managed as 

universal waste and must be managed under the RCRA hazardous waste regulations. Agencies that 

generate hazardous wastes sometimes have existing arrangements (e.g. a contract with a waste 

management provider) to comply with the RCRA regulations, and thermometers could be added to 

those hazardous wastes. The RCRA requirements for generators of hazardous waste are found at 40 CFR 

Part 262.

State regulations may be more stringent or broader in scope than the federal RCRA waste management 

program and may vary from state to state. Agencies are encouraged to contact their state 

environmental regulators for more information on requirements applicable in a particular state. Read 

more about state-specific requirements

(www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/wastetypes/universal/statespf.htm).
14

VI. References 

eFunda. Introduction to thermocouples – overview. Retrieved from 

http://www.efunda.com/designstandards/sensors/thermocouples/thmcple_intro.cfm.

Galligan, C., Morose, G. & Giordani, J. (2003). An investigation of alternatives to mercury containing 

products. University of Massachusetts. Retrieved from 

http://www.sustainableproduction.org/downloads/An%20Investigation%20Hg.pdf. 

Health Care Without Harm. Mercury-free medical devices: affordability. Retrieved from 

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Appendix 

Sample Table for Tracking Mercury-Containing Thermometers 

Location Contact Number of 

Mercury-Containing 

Thermometers: 

Detailed Information About the Remaining MercuryContaining Thermometers:Additional 

Information:

Barriers/Limitations That Impede 

the Use of Non-Mercury 

Alternatives:

Removed 

from 

Service 

in 

[YEAR]

Present 

at the 

End of 

[YEAR]

Brand/Manufacturer 

Name and Model 

Number or ASTM 

Number

Quantity Primary 

Use or 

Application

Is 

Substitution 

Possible? 

(Explain)

Regulations

Method 

Parameters

ASTM or 

External 

Standards

Lack of 

Alternative 

Technical/Physical Limitations
A1