Metallic mercury is in an ampoule attached to a bimetal sensing element.
Thermostats that contain mercury should be managed under the universal waste requirements or as dangerous waste . Digital or programmable thermostats do not contain mercury. For more information refer to Universal Waste Rule for Batteries and Mercury Containing Thermostats , July 2000, Ecology Fact Sheet 98-407. Top Switches and Other Electrical Devices Manage mercury containing devices other than batteries, thermostats and fluorescent lamps as dangerous waste . Tilt switches cause something to happen when mercury in the switch responds to movement.