How do you clean up mercury from a thermometer?

[cata5]

I know I read about this somewhere, but can't remember exactly how to do it.

[PHReD]

Very Carefully!

[buckeyemomma]

Be careful. I heard it can be dangerous. I really don't know who you would ask, but I am sure someone here can help.

[Mouse7088]

This is what I found, dang...I seriously didn't think breaking a thermometer was a big deal...I was wrong..yikes!

Broken Thermometers Information


If thermometer is broken:
Immediately keep all people and pets away from the spill area.

Ventilate the area by opening windows and keep windows open, when possible, or use fans that exhaust to outdoors. Turn off heating, ventilating or air conditioning systems to prevent the air from circulating from the spill area to others parts of the house.


DON'T use a vacuum to clean up the spill. Mercury will not only contaminate your vacuum, but the heat from the vacuum will evaporate the mercury and distribute it throughout the house.

DON'T use a broom...this will distribute the mercury into smaller beads and will contaminate the broom.

DON'T pour or allow mercury to go down a drain.

DON'T allow people whose shoes or clothing may be contaminated with mercury to walk around.
Before Cleaning Up: Assemble supplies.
Gloves (to minimize contact with mercury), an eyedropper, 2 stiff pieces of paper or cardboard, 2 plastic bags, a large tray or box, duct tape or packing tape, flashlight (to locate mercury-the light will reflect off the beads to make it easier to find), and wide mouth container with lid. Remember - any tools used for clean up are considered contaminated.



Do not touch the mercury! Remove all jewelry
(mercury bonds with metal).

Cleaning Up The Spill:
On hard surface or woven fabric: use stiff paper to push beads together. Use eyedropper to suction beads, or if working over a tray, lift beads with stiff paper. Carefully place mercury beads in wide mouth container. Pick any remaining beads with sticky tape and place contaminated tape in plastic bag along with eyedropper, stiff paper, and gloves. Place this bag and sealed container in a second bag labeled "mercury waste."

On carpet or rug: the mercury contaminated section should be cut out. This cut out section, along with clean up items, should be placed in plastic bag and labeled "mercury waste."

In a sink of water (mercury will sink to the bottom): remove as much water without disturbing the mercury and recover mercury with eyedropper. Place in wide mouth container, close lid, and seal with tape and label "mercury waste."

In a drain (mercury will get caught in your sink trap): working over a tray, remove trap and pour contents into a large mouth container. Close container lid and seal with tape and label "mercury waste."

After Clean up:
Put contaminated clothing/shoes into a trash bag. Wipe off any visible mercury beads into the bag.

Wash hands. Shower or bathe if other parts of your body came into contact with mercury.

Continue to air out room with outside air for 2 days (if weather permits).

If mercury was spilled in a regularly used area, you should consult your family doctor or local health department regarding mercury testing for your family.

[tasker109]

heres a link that tells what to do!

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[sushiosushi]

sulfur works great but I guess you don't have any of that around.

[Mouse7088]

SOME INFORMATION ON MERCURY.......
Mercury can enter the body through the skin, by eating contaminated food, or by breathing in vapors. It affects the human brain, spinal cord, kidneys, and liver. Long term exposure to mercury can result in symptoms that get progressively worse and lead to personality changes, stupor and coma. Short term exposure to high levels will have similar effects; however, full recovery is more likely once the body clears itself of the contamination. Mercury also affects fetal development by preventing the brain and nervous system from developing normally.

[Shainie]

this just reminded me of a story. When I was younger - like maybe 10, I accidentally broke a thermometer on the bathroom sink, and then I played with the mercury! I was amazed on how it moved and looked. I must have played with it for 10 minutes or so before my brother came in and yelled at me.

I never knew it was bad! I'm surprised I didn't get poisoning or something from it.

This from the same kid who ran her fingers over razor blades just to see how sharp they really were.

Talk about lack of parental guidance. LOL

[PHReD]

Originally posted by Shainie
this just reminded me of a story. When I was younger - like maybe 10, I accidentally broke a thermometer on the bathroom sink, and then I played with the mercury! I was amazed on how it moved and looked. I must have played with it for 10 minutes or so before my brother came in and yelled at me.

I never knew it was bad! I'm surprised I didn't get poisoning or something from it.

This from the same kid who ran her fingers over razor blades just to see how sharp they really were.

Talk about lack of parental guidance. LOL

It affects the human brain....
yea... sure it didn't affect you Shainie... You just keep telling yourself that!

[Mouse7088]

Ummmm...Shainie, maybe we are twins separated at birth or something because I did the same thing. I rinsed it down the bathroom sink tho and threw away the broken glass. PHReD..maybe this is why I can't bowl worth a hoot!! LOL!

[cata5]

Thanks everyone! For some reason I couldn't find anything, but DD did. Her friend was the one who dropped the thermometer and her parents were gone. SO we were giving her info over the phone. Luckily, she didn't try to wipe it up with a towel and spread it all over as I'm sure many people do. I could only remember the part about using the paper and putting the stuff in a bag...and not to touch it. Whew! That was nerve wracking.

DH said he ,too, played with mercury when he was a kid.

For those who don't know this and hopefully I have this right...hatters from the old days used mercury when they made the hats from beaver pelts I think. They removed the fur and treated the hide with the mercury. The vapor was toxic as we now know. Life expectancy for a hatter was about 25...the mercury affected their brain...(you know about the Mad Hatter... )

[miriama59]

They had a special on the news the other night advising people to dispose of their old thermometers (properly of course). And for them to buy the electronic ones. I am not sure what brought this on, but ours is an electronic one anyway.

[tasker109]

i remember playing with mercury when i was a kid....dang it..we used to break thermometers on purpose to get the stuff out! it was really cool stuff. evidently it isnt as bad as they say it is, but i guess if the quantity is enough, it can be dangerous.

[Mouse7088]

Originally posted by tasker109
i remember playing with mercury when i was a kid....dang it..we used to break thermometers on purpose to get the stuff out! it was really cool stuff. evidently it isnt as bad as they say it is, but i guess if the quantity is enough, it can be dangerous.

Shhh...Mom, sorry if you see this..I did the same thing tasker..LOL! I always did it in the bathroom sink, it was oval and it was like having a mercury ball racing dome!!! LOL!

Kriss, we have the electronic ear one and also a digital oral thermometer. I think the last time I even had a glass one was when they sent one home w/ me after Kyle was born over 10 years ago.

[sushiosushi]

alcohol thermometers are great too.