Smoke Detectors

Hazards

• The most common type of smoke detector is an ionization detector, which contains a small amount (2 microcuries) of Americium 241, a synthetic isotope which emits both alpha and gamma rays.  Each smoke detector contains about 1 microcurie (about 1/ 5000 of a gram) of Americium shielded inside of your detector. The ingredient is shielded by a metal chamber within the plastic casing of the detector.  On your wall, this material poses little threat; however, when a detector is broken open in an incinerator or a landfill, it can present a health hazard.  For this reason, all detectors, by law, must be labeled as to radioactive content.  Detector companies must accept returned radioactive detectors for disposal as hazardous waste.
     
• The alpha particles emitted from the detector penetrate the air no more than a few centimeters.  The gamma radiation is a low intensity ray, and much of it is blocked by the casing of the detector.  According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the amount of radiation that escapes the detector is roughly 3000x less than normal background radiation exposure rates, at 1 meter from the alarm.  Background radiation rates consist of the radiation from everyday sources, (the sun, rocks, soil, air, etc.).  The only possible health risk is if the Americium 241 is inhaled.  So, make sure not to disturb, poke or play with the ingredient in your ionization detector.

Handling

• Do not crush smoke detector.

Management Options

• Although it is legal to dispose of your ionization detector in the trash, we encourage you to return the product back to the manufacturer. They are mandated by the Nuclear Regulatory law 10 CFR 32.27 to see that the radioactive waste is disposed at a nuclear waste disposal facility.  When sending back a smoke detector, you should NOT take it apart. The entire smoke detector needs to be returned to the manufacturer or store by UPS ground mail (not airmail). The batteries, however, should be removed and properly disposed of or recycled. No special shipping is needed for your smoke detector: just put it in a box, maybe with some newspaper for padding, and send it.
    

• If unable to return smoke detector to manufacturer, remove battery from smoke detector and deliver battery to household hazardous waste disposal event or facility; dispose of smoke detector in the garbage if no other options exist.

Partial List of Manufacturers / Distributors:  

American Sensors
(also accepts North American Detectors, Inc., DICON, Garrison, and TEN-TEK brands)
100 Tempo Ave. 
Unit 15 East 
Toronto, ON 
Canada M2H3S5
416-493-3457 or 800-387-4219

Amway Corp.
616- 787- 6000
7575 E. Fulton St., 
Ada, MI 49355

Code One/Firex/Maple Chase Products
2820 Thatcher Road
Downings Grove, IL  60515

Dicon
3334 Main Street
Skokie, IL  60076

Edwards Co.
203-699-3300
90 Fieldstone Ct., 
Cheshire, CT 06410-1212

Entronic Co.
4348 Riverline Dr., 
Earth City, MO 63045

Other manufacturers or stores may also take back their products or products that they sell. Check online or in the phone book for addresses and phone numbers.

Family Safety Products
205-663- 3855

Thermtechnology, 
2879 Remico, 
Grandville, MI 49418

Manufactured at one time, no longer produces detectors.

First Alert/BRK Brands
3920 Enterprise Court
Customer Service Dept.
Aurora, IL  60504-2495
800-392-1395 or 800-323-9005
If it is still under warranty.

Gentex Corp.
616- 772- 1800
Return Dept., 600 
N. Centennial St., 
Zeeland, MI 49464
If still under warranty.

Honeywell
800- 328- 5111
Call for instructions.

Interactive Technologies
651- 777- 2690
Call for instructions. 

Life Saver/Frynetics, Inc.
1055 Stevenson Court
Suite 102W
Roselle, IL  60172

Maple Chase (also Firex)
630- 710- 5500
SVS Dept, 
2820 Thatcher Road
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Only if under warranty.

Nighthawk Systems
800- 880- 6788
1394 South 3 RD St.
Mebane, NC 27302
If still under warranty.

Radio Shack
817- 415- 3205
Return to local Radio Shack with receipt

Safety’s Sake/Funtech
388 North Ellicot Creek Rd.
Amherst, NY  14228
800-877-1250

Sears
785- 830- 2000
Will take back any that they sell without the receipt.

Sentrol
503- 692- 4052
Call Service Dept for instructions.
$15 if not under warranty.

System Sensor
630- 377- 6580
3825 Ohio Ave., 
St. Charles, IL 60174
Will take back only if defective.

Triad Safety Systems
308- 236- 7062
Responses, 
4595 Airport Rd, 
Carney, NE 68847
Only their products.

Walter Kidde (also Lifesaver, Kidde Fyrnetics)
919- 563- 5911
1394 S. 3rd St., 
Mebane, NC 27302