If you’ve ever dropped — and broken — a standard mercury-filled thermometer, you know how challenging it can be to clean it up. First you’ve got the broken glass to contend with, and the rolling balls of liquid metal are not easy to corral either. Then there’s the whole matter of the damage that mercury causes to the environment.

So, let’s just avoid the whole mess, and trade in our mercury thermometers for their digital cousins that are easier to use anyway!

The City of San Jose makes it easy this week, with a trade-in event at the Willows Senior Center on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Don’t just take WGx’s advice … join Joann Landers and her Metroblogging community …

One source of elemental mercury exposure is from a broken thermometer. A small, one-time exposure is not likely to be toxic and cause problems, but why risk it.

A safe way to help protect the Bay from this toxin by taking part in the first Regional Thermometer Exchange or call 1-888-BAYWISE (1-888-229-9473)

And Joann’s post on Metroblogging also continues on with a great rundown of how to clean-up that thermometer mess!