Mercury is a heavy, silver-colored metallic element found in a variety of household, chemical, and industrial items such as thermometers, thermostats, and fluorescent light bulbs, energy-saving light bulbs, and blood pressure monitoring devices. Mercury is also used in barometers, mercury-containing batteries, and some small electronic devices. It’s in outdoor lighting, movie projection, and even in the manufacture of some medicines.
Liquid mercury evaporates at room temperature and these vapors are invisible, odorless and, at high levels, very toxic. Mercury vapors can harm the nervous system, cardiovascular system, digestive tract, kidneys, and normal child development. Since it is toxic to humans and wildlife, it must be handled properly.
A small spill is less than 2 tablespoons or 1 fluid ounce of mercury, which would make a pool the size of a quarter.
- A fever thermometer contains 0.5 to 0.7 grams of mercury.
- A 4-foot fluorescent light bulb contains 10 to 40 milligrams
- A thermostat contains approximately 3 grams.
- A sphygmomanometer (blood pressure device) contains hundreds of grams of mercury.
The small amount of elemental mercury in thermometers and thermostats is not likely to cause serious health problems if it is cleaned up right away. The mercury in a broken fluorescent bulb is not easily visible, but it too should be cleaned up immediately.
Procedures to follow in cleaning up after a broken thermometer, either at home or in the workplace:
- Everyone should stay away from the area to prevent the spread of contamination.
- Children and pregnant women should leave the area immediately.
- Ventilate the room or area.
- Check for mercury on the soles of shoes and clothing.
- Take off any contaminated clothing that may have been splashed with mercury.
- Gather cleaning supplies:
- Dropper or needleless syringe to collect mercury
- Plastic container with lid to contain mercury
- Wide sticky tape or sticky tape to help collect mercury beads
- Resealable plastic bags to store any mercury-contaminated waste
- Rubber gloves to protect hands from contact.
- Trash bag to contain any mercury waste
- Tokens, playing cards, or stiff paper to collect beads
- Flashlight
- Collect the mercury and place it in an unbreakable plastic container.
- Use a bright light to illuminate hidden droplets and clean up, using a card or dustpan.
- Using a card, gently push mercury droplets away from carpet, fabric, or porous surfaces and into other droplets to combine into larger droplets.
- Use a flashlight to carefully check for any stray droplets of mercury.
- Continue to ventilate the area.
- If mercury has contaminated carpeting or a soft surface item, consider disposal.
- Package the materials securely and label them “Mercury Contaminated.”
- Disposal requirements may differ depending on whether the spill occurred in a home or business.
When cleaning up a small spill, NEVER:
- Never use a regular vacuum or shop vac for cleaning as it creates toxic fumes.
- Never use a broom or brush, as they break the mercury into smaller droplets and spread it even more.
- Never walk in an area that is contaminated with mercury.
- Never put mercury in the trash or in a barrel to burn.
- Never wash clothes contaminated with mercury in the washing machine, as it can contaminate the machine and enter the water system.
- Never down the drain.
Cleaning up a small mercury spill is not complex and can be done safely if these procedures are followed.