Consumer Products Containing Mercury - - CA Public Resources

Section § 15025

This section defines certain terms related to mercury-added products. A 'mercury-added novelty' is a product containing mercury that's mainly for entertainment or decoration, like toys or jewelry, excluding items that only have mercury in button cell batteries. A 'mercury fever thermometer' is a mercury product used to check body temperature, but this doesn't include digital thermometers with mercury batteries. The term 'school' here refers to any educational institution for more than 12 children, from kindergarten through 12th grade.

For purposes of this article, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Mercury-added novelty” means a mercury-added product intended mainly for personal or household enjoyment or adornment. A “mercury-added novelty” includes, but is not limited to, any item intended for use as a practical joke, figurine, adornment, toy, game, card, ornament, yard statue or figure, candle, jewelry, holiday decoration, and item of apparel, including footwear. “Mercury-added novelty” does not include a product that contains no mercury other than in a mercury-added button cell battery.

(b) “Mercury fever thermometer” means a mercury-added product that is used for measuring body temperature. Mercury fever thermometer does not include a digital thermometer that uses mercury-added button cell batteries.

(c) “School” means any school used for the purpose of the education of more than 12 children in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive.

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(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 625, Sec. 2. Effective September 17, 2002.)

Section § 15026

Starting July 1, 2002, only those with specific business licenses can sell mercury fever thermometers directly to the public in California. These thermometers can also be sold if prescribed by a doctor, dentist, veterinarian, or podiatrist. When selling these thermometers, they must come with clear instructions on how to handle them safely and what to do if they break.

If someone breaks this rule, it's considered a violation of certain business regulations, and the California State Board of Pharmacy is responsible for making sure these rules are followed.

(a) On and after July 1, 2002, no person, other than a person licensed pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 4140) of Chapter 9 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, may sell at retail, or otherwise supply, a mercury fever thermometer to a consumer or patient in this state. A mercury fever thermometer may be sold at retail, or otherwise supplied to a consumer or patient only upon the prescription of a physician, dentist, veterinarian, or podiatrist. A mercury fever thermometer sold at retail shall be accompanied by clear written instructions concerning careful handling to avoid breakage and proper cleanup should breakage occur.

(b) A violation of subdivision (a) is a violation of the requirements of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code and the California State Board of Pharmacy shall enforce the requirements of subdivision (a) in accordance with Chapter 9.

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(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 656, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2002.)

Section § 15027

This California law prohibits the manufacturing, selling, or distribution of mercury-added novelties in the state if the parties involved know that these products contain mercury. This law has been in effect since January 1, 2003. Manufacturers and distributors must inform retailers about these regulations and provide instructions for disposing of existing inventory according to health and safety guidelines.

A violation of this law is treated like a violation involving toys under health and safety regulations. The State Department of Health Services can take action against these products in the same way it does with toys. Violations may result in a misdemeanor charge, a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to one year, or both.

(a) On and after January 1, 2003, no person shall manufacture, offer for final sale or use, or distribute for promotional purposes in this state, a mercury-added novelty, if the manufacturer, seller, or distributor knows, or has reason to know, that the product contains mercury. A person who manufactures or distributes any mercury-added novelty shall notify each retailer regarding the requirements of this section and how to dispose of the remaining inventory in accordance with Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100) of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) A violation of subdivision (a) is a violation of Article 2 (commencing with Section 108550) of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code and, for purposes of that article, “mercury-added novelties” shall be deemed to be toys. The State Department of Health Services may take action against mercury-added novelties in the same manner as it is authorized to take action against toys, except that a violation of subdivision (a) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

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(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 656, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2002.)

Section § 15028

Schools in California are not allowed to buy elemental mercury, mercury compounds, or mercury-containing lab equipment and chemicals for classroom use. However, the law makes an exception for certain measuring devices used in school labs if the school district decides there is no suitable alternative.

No school in this state shall purchase, for use in the classroom, elemental mercury, mercury compounds, or mercury-added laboratory measurement devices, chemicals, and related materials, except measuring devices used in school laboratories for which the school district determines no adequate substitute exists.

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(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 656, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2002.)

Section § 15029

This law prohibits anyone from selling or offering for sale in California any car made on or after January 1, 2005, if it has a light switch containing mercury located on the hood or trunk.

No person may sell or offer for sale in this state a vehicle manufactured on or after January 1, 2005, that contains a mercury-containing motor vehicle light switch, as defined in Section 25214.5 of the Health and Safety Code, mounted on the hood or trunk.

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(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 656, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2002.)