Mercury containing thermostats release mercury into the environment when they are handled or disposed hadhazardly. Exposure to mercury, even at a low level, causes damage to the functioning and development of the nervous system both in utero and in growing children. 

Most Rhode Islanders have a mercury thermostat in their home. Of the 665,000 thermostats in Rhode Island homes, there are 552,500 mercury thermostats. Since approximately 3% of those get replaced annually, over 120 pounds of mercury could be released into the environment each year. 

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