Disposing of Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

Prevent the alarm from being crushed or dropped. Do not dispose in the trash. Although the radioactive americium-241 is safely contained inside a metallic casing, it can present a health risk if inhaled or ingested. If the alarm is crushed in the back of a trash truck, the radioactive substance can be released into the air.

Remove the battery from the back of the alarm. This is safe as long as you don’t tamper with any other portion of the alarm. In fact, many alarms have a battery check button so you can change the batteries before they are fully discharged. Recycle the smoke alarm battery.

Call your local trash management authority to see if it has a collection facility for hazardous materials. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says certain state radiation control programs conduct an annual round up of hazardous materials and household chemicals. Check to see if your state participates. If not, go to Step 4.

Box up the alarm for UPS ground mail (not airmail). Use newspaper or some other type of padding, and seal the box. Also, include a note that says the alarm is intended for disposal. There are no special shipping requirements. Just include enough postage to cover ground costs.

Address the box to the alarm manufacturer. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission mandates that alarm manufacturers dispose of nuclear waste at waste disposal facilities. If you are unsure of the address, check the Resource section of this article for information on the top smoke alarm manufacturers.