im scared because i just bust a thermometer that had mercury in it so i closed that do can someone tell me what will happed
2006-09-13 06:28:19 · 20 answers · asked by catherine m 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The mercury will roll up into little balls like bb's. It is hard to clean up. Don't touch it with your bare hands.
2006-09-13 06:30:57 · answer #1 · answered by dolphin2253 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't panic, a thermometer has very little mercury, nothing too bad. Do be careful with it though, don't get it on your hands or clothing.
Mercury cleanup:
Ventilate the area. Get a bag that can be sealed (ziplock for example), some sand and a broom with a dustpan.
Sprinkle the mercury with a little bit of sand (not much sand required) very delicately and then carefully sweep it into the dustpan.
Pour the sand and mercury into the bag.
Check the area very carefully to see if there's any mercury around, it should look like tiny silvery beads, repeat the procedure if necessary.
If there's nothing left, seal the bag leaving little air in, tape it shut and write "DANGER: POISON, MERCURY METAL" on it with a big black marker.
Throw in the garbage.
2006-09-13 13:47:40 · answer #2 · answered by flammable 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clean it up without letting any of it touch your skin. If it does touch your skin, do not panic. Although mercury is a toxin and mercury poisoning is real, there's not enough mercury in a thermometer to really affect you. Constant exposure to mercury WILL.
Remember the phrase "mad as a hatter"? Hat makers used mercury to compact the felt used in hats. Constant exposure to mercury made them mad. The old prospectors with the donkey and the shovel had the same problem because they used mercury in the processing of the gold. They'd break a thermometer and roll the mercury around on a piece of paper they'd collected the gold dust on, then drain it into the center of a raw potato. They'd roast the potato in their campfire and, when it was baked through and soft, squeeze it to force the mercury out. In the center they'd have a nicely formed gold nugget. Since they didn't wear gloves when they squeezed the potato, they'd be exposed to mercury through their skin AND their lungs. Some of the mercury, if the potato was still hot, would go into gas form.
I know that's more than you needed to know, but you pushed my trivia button.
2006-09-13 13:45:00 · answer #3 · answered by loryntoo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The amount of mercury in an oral/rectal thermometer is not enough to be toxic. If a child were to ingest mercury from a thermometer, it should not cause any health problems.
2006-09-13 13:42:32 · answer #4 · answered by reachdan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing drastic will happen. It will break, the mercury will roll around like a little silver ball until you clean it up, throw it out, and go about your business. Scoop the mercury up on a little piece of cardboard, carefully pick the glass pieces with a paper towel or something, and toss it all.
I don't think there's anything to be afraid of. We used to let the mercury roll around in the palms of our hands and never had any adverse affects. After I grew up, I started hearing "them" talk about how dangerous mercury is. I think they are referring to ingesting it or something. That CAN be bad.
2006-09-13 13:35:09 · answer #5 · answered by kj 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mercury isn't going to kill you instantly. Repeated exposure, however, will really mess up your central nervous system.
Use your thermometer. If it breaks (why would it?), don't swallow the glass or the mercury. If you're pretty sure you're going to break it, get one that makes you feel safe - a non-invasive one might be best for you.
2006-09-13 13:34:14 · answer #6 · answered by DidacticRogue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you do not handle the mercury I see no problem. They were used for years with no problem until they discovered mercury was hazardous. Clean it up and get it out of your house.
2006-09-13 13:31:54 · answer #7 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the mercury will drain out and you will spend a lot of time cleaning it up. it runs away from your hand so you'll have to make a vacuum system to collect as much as you can, but there will be some left around
2006-09-13 14:10:04 · answer #8 · answered by shiara_blade 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll have glass and little mercury BB's to clean up. Best to clean it up with a wet sponge. Make sure you throw the sponge away after cleanup.
2006-09-13 13:47:12 · answer #9 · answered by Felix Arcanus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clean up the spilled mercury with a paper towel and give it to your local hazard waste disposal unit.
(Then go back and work on your English. I had to guess what you were asking)
2006-09-13 13:32:52 · answer #10 · answered by tjc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋