On November 1, 2010 the state of Wisconsin established a ban on the sale and distribution of certain mercury containing devices. Some mercury items that the food and dairy industries use within their plants and labs listed in Wisconsin Act 44 are; hydrometers, psychrometers, and all mercury (non-fever) thermometers. Businesses still have the ability to use their currently owned mercury items, they just cannot purchase replacement or new mercury devices. Currently California, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island are states that have mercury regulations in place regarding the same ban that Wisconsin has just adopted.
Businesses have the ability to file an exemption with the DNR if “a technically feasible alternative does not exist at comparable prices”.
We at Nelson-Jameson have a non-mercury alternative for all mercury devices that are needed within labs and processing facilities.
If you would have further questions regarding this ban; Wisconsin Act 44 (Mercury Products Ban) can be found on-line with all additional information that may be helpful.
Added 12/20/10
Cathy Laube; Laboratory Supply Product Manager, and Todd Schreiner; Technical Sales Manager, were recently quoted in the November 26, 2010 Cheese Market News article, “New Rules Spur Demand for Mercury Alternatives”. The article can be found at http://www.cheesemarketnews.com/articlearch/2010/26nov10/26nov10_03.html
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