I put one of those thermometers on top of a candle and it broke what should i do?

Question

does it kill you if u taste it its all over my window pane. What should i do to get rid of it so i wont put anyone in danger?

Answer 1

whuat type of thermometer? if its mercuric then don't worry about tasting it, it'll poison you by absorbing into your skin

Answer 2

First, you should never taste anything that you're not sure of.

Second, you need to know what kind of thermometer you're dealing with. If it's a mercury thermometer, there will be little beads of a silvery, liquid metal everywhere. Mercury vapors are the most toxic form. If you get some on your skin, some of it may be absorbed through your skin, but probably not enough to hurt you. Don't touch it anyway.

Go here for mercury cleanup tips:

http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/Health%20Services/mercurycleanup.pdf

If it's not a mercury thermometer, it's probably a non-volatile colored liquid, perhaps alcohol or a similar substance, and you should be able to clean it up like any liquid spill. Still, wear gloves to avoid getting any of the fluid on your hands and to avoid getting cut by glass shards.

Also, in the future, don't expose thermometers to temperatures they weren't designed for!

Answer 3

I assume it is a mercury thermometer. Mercury is very very hazardous and yes, it can kill. Use a pair of plastic gloves to handle it and put an wet cloth on your nose while doing it. Mercury forms spherical droplets, which can be made into a single large drop by placing them all together. Once you collect all the mercury, place it in a sealed container.
The following site will guide you in handling mercury :

http://www.egtrashrecycleservices.org/mercury.htm

However, if the thermometer is not a mercury thermometer, but an alcohol thermometer - you should not worry about it.

Answer 4

If the thermometer that you broke is full of a red liquid, don't worry its an alcohol, clean it up with a paper towel. If the liquid inside is silver, it is mercury. If it is mercury, don't panic but don't touch it yet. Call your local poison hotline. A national hotline is 1-800-222-1222. They will have info on how to clean it up and whether you need to seek medical help. Above all, don't panic. It will all be fine and so will you.