what do I do with a broken thermometer?

Question

it went "snap" while it was inside me and I'm afraid to pull it out....

Answer 1

Even small mercury spills must be cleaned up properly. Becton Dickinson (a thermometer manufacturer) provides the following recommendations to customers when they call with questions regarding the clean up of a broken thermometer:


Increase ventilation in the room with outside air and close the room off from the rest of the house. If available, use fans for a minimum of one hour to help ventilate the room.
Pick up the mercury with an eyedropper or scoop up beads with a piece of heavy paper (e.g., playing cards, index cards).
Place the mercury, contaminated instruments (dropper/heavy paper) and any broken glass in a plastic zipper bag. Place this zipper bag in a second zipper bag and then in a third zipper bag (triple bag), tightly sealing each bag. Place the bags in a wide-mouth, sealable plastic container.
Call your local health department for the nearest approved mercury disposal location. If disposal at such a location is not possible, dispose of the plastic container in accordance with state and local requirements.
If weather permits, leave windows open for approximately two days to assure the area is completely ventilated.
When cleaning up a mercury spill:

DO NOT use household cleaning products to clean the spill, particularly products that contain ammonia or chlorine. These chemicals will react violently with mercury, releasing a toxic gas.

DO NOT use a broom or paint brush to clean up mercury. It will break the mercury into smaller beads and spread them around.

DO NOT use an ordinary vacuum or shop vacuum. The vacuum will put mercury vapor into the air and increase the likelihood of human exposure.

To eliminate the need for such clean-ups in the future, the consumer can replace the broken mercury thermometer with a non-mercury alternative.

Additional Cleanup Information:

If Mercury enters into a sink full of water it will sink to the bottom. Remove as much water as possible without disturbing the mercury and them recover the mercury with an eyedropper. Place in a wide mouth container, close the lid and seal it with tape. Label it as mercury waste and call your state agency for appropriate disposal.

If mercury enters a drain it will get caught in your sink trap. Working over a tray, remove the trap and pour the contents into a large mouth container. Close the lid and seal it with tape. Label it as mercury waste and call your state agency for appropriate disposal.

Answer 2

If it has mercury on it, don't be afraid.
It's a myth that mercury is poisonous in liquid form; it's not. Only the vapours inhaled are a serious health hazard.

Clean it up softly and dispose of the mercury. Wash your hands and the affected area.
If there's just alcohol in it, it should be no worry whatsoever.

Answer 3

You got to Throw it straight to the bin. If it's a mercury Thermometer, it's dangerous for it to be broken. A small amount of it will cause fatal damage to your body Eg Death or Paralysis

Answer 4

I hope you're kidding.... Then again there was this guy in Britain that lit a firecracker while it was inside his "backside" as BBC called it. He scorched his colon. If you're serious, and it was a mercury thermometer, call 911.

Answer 5

I hope it wasn't a rectal thermometer. Mercury is a neurotoxin, it'll mess up your brain.

Answer 6

Mercury is poisoness, call 911, or just drive yourself to a nearby hospital.

Answer 7

Go to doctor immediately or call for emergency.

Answer 8

is it a mercury thermometer?If it is GO TO THE E.R.

Answer 9

go to the emergency room asap

Answer 10

go to the doctor's because mercury can make you sick