Hazardous Materials

A hazardous material is any product that poses life, health, fire or reactivity hazard to people. Common household hazardous materials are bleach, gasoline, drain cleaner, insecticides and oil-based paint or solvents.

Some Bloomfield Township firefighters receive specialized technical training to perform extra duties on the Oakway Haz-Mat Response Team. The communities of Southfield, Madison Heights, Ferndale, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Waterford, West Bloomfield, Pontiac and Bloomfield Township mutually share personnel, apparatus and equipment in the event of a hazardous materials incident.

FAQ's

1. How do I dispose of my hazardous waste product?
The Township sponsors a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day in the spring and autumn of each year. For details, contact the Township Offices during normal business hours or check the Current Events section on this website.

2. How do I clean up a small mercury spill when I break a thermometer?

• Keep people (including children and pets) out of the area.
• Turn down the thermostat. The lower the temperature, the fewer vapors are released.
• Ventilate the area to the outdoors by opening windows & doors.
• Assemble cleaning supplies:

1. rubber/latex gloves
2. eye dropper or syringe without needle
3. goggles or safety glasses
4. paper towels
5. plastic container with lid, such as a 35 mm film canister
6. 3 x 5 file cards
7. high intensity flashlight
8. plastic bag with zipper type seal
9. dust pan
10. plastic trash bag

• Put on goggles and rubber gloves.
• Pick up all visible mercury droplets using eye dropper, syringe or push into dust pan with 3 x 5 card.
• Gently transfer mercury to unbreakable plastic container.
• Check for missed mercury with high intensity light. Wipe mercury particles into plastic dust pan from hard surfaces with paper towels.
• Place plastic container with mercury, paper towels, etc. into zip lock bag and seal it.
• Discard contaminated fabric, including carpeting and clothing.
• Place zip lock bag and all contaminated items, including plastic gloves and anything you think might be contaminated with mercury into plastic trash bag and tie tightly shut.
• Contact your local health department or the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to obtain a list of disposal locations.

For more information, including information about the next Household Hazardous Waste Day, see the Household Hazardous Waste page.

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Charter Township of Bloomfield
4200 Telegraph Road
P.O. Box 489
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0489
248.433.7700

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