I accidently broke a thermometer...What should I do?

Question

Debbie is trying to clean off most of the mercury droplets...this happened in the bathroom....Will something happen if it comes in contact with water? Oh, do help me fast!!!!!

Answer 1

lots of thermometers aren't made with mercury anymore. are you sure its mercury?

Answer 2

Do not swallow any of it and call your doctor straight away.

Mercury can poison through the skin but only if you have exposure to it over a long period of time.

About water it shouldn't react but i will check


Mercury should be handled with care. Containers of mercury should be securely sealed to avoid spills and evaporation as mercury can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin. Heating of mercury, or compounds of mercury that may decompose when heated, should always be carried out with adequate ventilation in order to avoid exposure to mercury vapor. Mercury should not be displayed in open containers.

Answer 3

The mrecury in thermometers ins't so bad that you have to call poison control or anything. I dropped one a while ago and i just sweeped it up with a broom, I'm okay.

Just a broom will be okay!

Answer 4

throw it away and dont let the mercury get on hands, it is poison.

Answer 5

no nothing will happen just buy a new 1

Answer 6

Cleaning Up Small Mercury Spills

For spills of less than two tablespoons:
(click on the steps below for details)
Evacuate the spill area

Lower the temperature

Turn off ventilating or air conditioning systems

Close interior doors

Determine if the spill must be reported

Contain the spill

Ventilate the room

Assemble clean up supplies

Dress appropriately

Pick up all visible mercury droplets

Gently transfer mercury into an unbreakable plastic container

Place the mercury waste container(s) into a zip-top plastic bag

Remove and dispose of contaminated carpeting

Sprinkle fine powder sulfur or zinc on the spill site

Check carefully for missed mercury

Set aside everything you think might be contaminated with mercury

Do not place mercury-contaminated substances in the trash

Monitor spill zone for mercury vapors

Wash humans and animals exposed to mercury

Continue ventilation

Replace broken device with a ‘mercury-free’ alternative

Inventory all remaining mercury-containing devices and replace them with mercury free alternatives



Note: Everything used during the cleanup procedure will need to be managed as ‘hazardous waste,’ unless you are positive it has not come into contact with mercury. Although households are legally exempt from the hazardous waste regulations, it is recommended you seek disposal advice from your local county environmental health department or by contacting one of the “resource entities” listed on the Clean Sweep Program page.

EVACUATE THE SPILL AREA: Before people leave, be sure that their shoes, clothing, and other articles have not been splashed with mercury. Secure the scene (use barrier tape if necessary) and restrict admission to only those persons necessary to clean up the spill. Children and pets should be kept clear of the spill area.



LOWER the TEMPERATURE by turning down the thermostat. The cooler the temperature, the less mercury vapors that will be released into the air. [For example, a temperature increase from 64.4°F to 78.8°F will double mercury’s vapor pressure.] Remember that mercury vapors are odorless and colorless.



TURN OFF VENTILATING OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS that could circulate air from the spill area to other parts of the building.



CLOSE INTERIOR DOORS leading to other inside areas and open exterior doors and windows.
CAUTION: Mercury vapors are readily absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream and are, therefore, particularly hazardous. In extreme situations, even very small amounts of metallic mercury (several drops) may raise air concentrations to levels that may be harmful to human health. Mercury vapors are also heavier than air and may linger in higher concentrations close to the floor. Children that crawl or play in these areas are at highest risk to exposure.


DETERMINE IF THE SPILL MUST BE REPORTED under federal, state, or local reporting requirements. Note: It is recommended that any mercury spill equal to or greater than 1 pound (more than two tablespoons) impacting the environment, i.e., groundwater and surface water, or that threatens public health, be reported immediately.


CONTAIN THE SPILL: Surround or block off the mercury to keep it from spreading onto sloped or porous surfaces. Divert all mercury away from floor drains, cracks, or crevices that may impact groundwater, surface water, and soils.


VENTILATE THE ROOM to the outdoors. (Use fans to force air circulation for a minimum of one hour after clean up). In an office building, increase the air exchange rate for one day. The danger of mercury exposure is greatest in small, confined, poorly ventilated areas. Avoid breathing any dust, vapors, mist, or gas. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing.

Never use a household vacuum cleaner or shop vac to clean up mercury! (These devices are not adequately filtered and will spread mercury vapors.)

Special mercury vacuums are commercially available for larger spills but require advanced training to operate properly. When necessary, they may be obtained by contacting local universities or environmental health departments or provided for a fee by professional spill remediation contractors.


ASSEMBLE CLEAN UP SUPPLIES or obtain a mercury spill kit. Mercury spill kits are commercially available and convenient, but not absolutely necessary to clean up a small mercury spill.
The following are some common household articles that could be used to construct an in-home mercury cleanup kit:

eye dropper

goggles

paper towel

plastic container with lid

plastic sheeting

powdered zinc *2

rubber squeegee

tape; wide, duct, or masking

tray or box
flashlight

napkins

plastic bags with zipper seal

plastic dust pan

powdered sulfur *1

rubber gloves

syringe without needle

trash bags

wide mouth container

*1- visualizes mercury by turning from yellow to brown and forms mercuric sulfide. Dusting the area with this powder also reduces mercury vapors.
*2- amalgamates (bonds with) mercury.
Note: Used items are to be double-bagged and disposed of in accordance with state and local requirements.






DRESS APPROPRIATELY: Remove all jewelry from hands and wrists so the mercury does not combine (amalgamate) with the precious metals. Change into old clothes and shoes that can be safely discarded should they happen to become contaminated. Put on rubber gloves and goggles or safety glasses.

Never use a broom on a mercury spill because it will only scatter the mercury droplets, making them harder to find and pick up.


PICK UP ALL VISIBLE MERCURY DROPLETS: Inspect the spill zone with a bright light to help illuminate any hidden droplets. Clean up any metallic beads of mercury by using a plastic squeegee or index card and plastic dust pan. With the index or plastic card, sweep the mercury toward the center of the spilled area away from any carpet, fabric, or porous surfaces. Carefully combine and consolidate the mercury droplets. Next, slide droplets onto a sheet of rigid paper like an index card.


NEXT, GENTLY TRANSFER MERCURY INTO AN UNBREAKABLE PLASTIC CONTAINER like a 35mm film canister with a locking or air tight lid (avoid using glass). If necessary, suction off the droplets using an eye dropper or syringe. Adhesive tape strips may also be used to clean up any tiny remaining mercury droplets. Place the plastic container inside a second plastic container to provide additional containment protection. Tighten each lid securely so that liquid and vapors will be contained.


PLACE THE MERCURY WASTE CONTAINER(S) INTO A ZIP-TOP PLASTIC BAG: This should ensure that in the event of any leakage, all mercury will be safely contained within the packaging. Label the package “Elemental Mercury Waste, [Hazardous],” and store in a secure place away from children. Contact your local health department or the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to obtain a list of disposal locations.

Never pour liquid mercury or mercury compounds down the drain. Since mercury is heavier than water, it will accumulate in the S-trap of your drain and may continue to emit harmful vapors.