Air Products Incorporated

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Laboratory Equipment

Industry: Chemical Manufacturing

Wastes Reduced: Mercury

Substance: Themometers

Location: Pasadena TX

No. of employees: 262

Contact: Leslie Straughan

Phone: (713) 920-7340

Description:

Air Products Pasadena Plant used mercury thermometers to monitor laboratory tests of product samples. The thermometers were replaced in 1989 with alcohol thermometers. The new thermometers provided the same required accuracy and operated over the desired temperature range.

Environmental Benefits:

The conversion eliminated two potential hazardous wastes, mercury and mercury contaminated debris.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The cost of alcohol and mercury thermometers are about equal. The cost savings comes if one is broken. The alcohol thermometer does not require the expensive cleanup required of mercury thermometers. Cleanup and disposal of a broken mercury thermometer can average from $100 to $200.

Source: TCEQ