Banned Products

Maine law bans the sale of many products that contain intentionally added mercury:

Effective January 1, 2002, a person may not sell, offer to sell or distribute a mercury fever thermometer to consumers or patients except by prescription.
Effective January 1, 2002, a person may not sell, offer to sell or distribute a dairy manometer that contains mercury.
Effective January 1, 2003, a person may not sell a motor vehicle manufactured after 1/1/03 if the vehicle contains a mercury switch of any type unless an exemption is obtained from the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.
Effective January 1, 2006, a person may not sell, offer to sell or distribute a mercury-added thermostat except for a thermostat used by a blind or visually impaired person.
Effective July 1, 2006, a person may not sell, offer to sell or distribute the following mercury-added products:
1. mercury switch or mercury relay
2. barometer
3. esophageal dilator, bougie tube or gastrointestinal tube
4. flow meter
5. hydrometer
6. hygrometer or psychrometer
7. manometer
8. pyrometer
9. sphygmomanometer
10. thermometer

There are limited exceptions to these prohibitions. For example, the sale of mercury switches as replacement parts is not prohibited in most cases.