How do i clean up mercury from a broken thermometer? Kitchenpaper doesn't absorb it.?

Question

Yes, it's silvery and balls up.

@Gokart:
Only iron, nickel and cobalt atoms are magnetic.

Wow, this mercury seems to be serious chemical waste... I think there are billion broken thermometers just thrown away with normal household waste. And that's only one hazardous component on landfills.

@Bellerophon:
If you add water, won't get the water polluted too??

Answer 1

for starters - WEAR GLOVES!! Do not touch it with your skin. Mercury is poisonous, and touching it can cause contamination.

I would get some magazine pages, and then use something stiff to flick the beads onto it. Then pour from the paper into a little glass jar.

Then call poison control - they may know where you need to take it. Don't just throw it in the trash.

Answer 2

First, mercury is toxic. Don't touch it. Get gloves if you can. Mercury is NOT magnetic, so magnets won't do diddlysquat.

You need to get it into a container with a cover. You can use paper or index cards to move the little balls of mercury together and direct it into the container if you are careful.

Cover the container, then try to get a mercury spill kit and clean up the general area. I suggest calling around first rather than going to lots of stores. Time is of the essence.

Above all, VENTILATE THE AREA!! What is the most toxic about mercury is the vapors.

If no mercury spill kit is available, then you probably won't be able to get the second choice, powdered sulfur, unless there's a hobby store around with chemicals for chemistry sets.

Answer 3

First of all, DO NOT vacuum it. It would be certain death to any one in your house. Avoid touching it as much as possible. Your skin can absorb it into your body. Second, you can always call poisen control or someplace like that. They can give you information on how to clean it up. Third, are you absolutely sure it's mercury? They stopped making mercury thermometers a long time ago. If the liquid is silvery and balls up, then yes it is mercury. If it is any other color, then it is not mercury.

Answer 4

Don't touch it with bare hands!!!

If you don't have a kit carefully pick it up by scooping it with a piece of (hard) paper (like shoveling snow). Put it in a closed container that has lots of water inside. Water is the best way to limit the evaporating mercury.

Don't wait until you buy a kit or sulphur because mercury is volatile and you don't want to breathe it.

Don't touch the surface mercury had spilled on. Once you have put it in the container you can buy a kit to clean the surface from any traces and take the mercury to a recycling center or ask your local authorities where to dispose it.

Answer 5

All mercury-containing products or containers of mercury should be placed inside a larger container with a tight fitting lid.

Kitty litter or oil-absorbent matter should be placed around the product to protect it from breaking or sudden shocks.

Clearly label storage container as "Mercury - DO NOT OPEN."

Transport container to a household hazardous collection center in a cardboard box. Secure them so that they do not tip over. This will minimize shifting or sliding during sudden stops or turns.

Transport containers in the back of a pick-up
truck or in a car trunk. If you must transport in the passenger compartment, make sure there is adequate ventilation.

Answer 6

If you haven't already, call 911, and they'll take care of it. In the mean time, cover it w/ absorbant material, so it will not be disturbed. Mercury is extremely toxic, and can cause death. Ventilate the area, and I would suggest leaving the area until you are advised by authorities to go back.

Answer 7

You need to purchase a mercury spill kit! They can be found in any major school science supplier catalog like frey or flinn. The best thing to do for now is to sweep it into a container. It will not absorb into a paper towel. Best of luck!

Oh, Don't TOUCH IT WITH YOUR BARE HANDS! IT IS POISONOUS

Answer 8

mercury "runs away", so you would have to scoop it onto a piece of paper, but don't just throw it away, it is highly toxic in the environment. Once you have scooped it, put it into a paper cup, and take to a recycling place

Answer 9

You can't clean it up, it is hazardous waste. You need to call the local authorities and have them do it. 911

Answer 10

Don't call 911 - just call the police.