How important is it for me to pick up EVERY single little bead of mercury. I think I got most of it and I can't find anymore, but is so little still very harmful to me and my family, even if I can't see them?
2007-02-16 06:01:24 · 8 answers · asked by tiger_lilly33186 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
BTW, I am 36 weeks pregnant and have a four year old as well.
2007-02-16 06:02:44 · update #1
It is really important that you get it all. Mercury can be absorbed through the skin and mercury vapor can be inhaled, both of which will result in heavy metal poisoning of some kind. It can cause neurological damage as well. Mercury also has a tendency to break into smaller beads when spilled, which makes it difficult to pick up. Mercury liquid itself actually isn't a huge deal; it's the vapor that's highly toxic. I don't know much biology, but I would imagine the child would be adverserly harmed by the mercury. You should get a good mercury spill kit to pick up the mercury.
2007-02-16 06:04:13 · answer #1 · answered by Steady As She Goes 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No there is not enough mercury in a thermometer to contaminate the air. Although I am confused on why you decided to use your bare hands to clean it up. I mean did you use a tissue or paper towel or something? Even if you were touching during the clean up process you probably were not touching it long enough for it to be absorbed into your skin. I wouldn't worry over it. I was very sick once when I was a child and I broke a mercury thermometer by biting down on it in a feverish fit. I got it in my mouth and I have been to the doc several times over the years to be checked out and blood work taken. I'm fine and it was in my mouth and I possibly swallowed a small amount of it.
2016-05-24 07:14:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try not to handle mercury bare handed. The skin is porous. The amount of mercury left is of no consequence.Everything will be fine even if you got it on your hands. Try digital thermometers. They are the standard in most hospitals and doctor's offices. Have a great day.
2007-02-16 06:07:29 · answer #3 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something tells me you already know the answer to this, considering your amendment of your being pregnant. If you're so concerned about the mercury spill contact a professional I'm sure someone somewhere will be able to help.
2007-02-16 06:10:45 · answer #4 · answered by jedi_junkie05 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
get it all. put someone to remove the furniture in that room so u can find it all. don't touch it, just wipe it with something wet. if it's in the carpet, try cleaning it. i don't know if it's really that harmful, it's just a little, but i heard that people working with this stuff die early. especially if ure pregnant, u should get it clean.
2007-02-16 06:15:26 · answer #5 · answered by gabriella 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! It is very important that you find all the mercury, especially if you are pregnant...it will kill your baby.
2007-02-16 06:11:25 · answer #6 · answered by fuellover2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the web site below.
Try to get someone else to finish the clean up!
2007-02-16 06:14:02 · answer #7 · answered by Ernie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes because people can walk on them and the Mercury could get stuck in the bottom on their shoes and then they walk and it would spread it and then a animal could eat it and then die and people would throw the animal away or dig a hole in the ground and then the earth would take the Mercury in and then we all could die.
2007-02-16 06:11:27 · answer #8 · answered by cristel 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋