How much mercury is in a pool thermometer?
Just 0.5 grams of mercury, the amount found in most thermometers, is sufficient to contaminate 22.7 million litres (5 million gallons) of water, enough water to fill nearly 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools. When liquid mercury is spilled, it forms tiny droplets that can accumulate in the smallest of places.
How do I know if my thermometer has mercury in it?
How can I tell if my thermometer has mercury? Mercury is a silver-white to gray substance. If your thermometer is filled with a red liquid, your thermometer contains red dyed alcohol or mineral spirits and not mercury. These are safer alternatives to mercury fever thermometers.
What chemical is in a pool thermometer?
The main chemical you should be (and probably are) using is chlorine. Chlorine is the most effective agent for killing off harmful bacteria and algae in your pool.
What to do if you broke a thermometer?
Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Alternatively, use two pieces of cardboard paper to roll the mercury beads onto the paper towel or into the bag. Place the paper towel in a zip locking bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.
Which thermometer does not contain mercury?
Digital thermometersSpirit thermometers use a non-toxic alcohol instead of mercury to register the temperature. Like liquid mercury, the alcohol expands in volume as it gets warmer, causing the liquid to move up the thin tube inside the glass thermometer. Digital thermometers contain a device called a thermoresistor.
What year did they stop using mercury in thermometers?
Those days have passed. Since 2001, 20 states have banned mercury “fever thermometers” for medical use, and regulations tighten every year.
What happens if a dog eats a thermometer?
Too much mercury in your dog's body can damage the cardiovascular system, nervous system, kidneys, and digestive tract. Continued exposure can also injure the inner surfaces of the digestive tract and abdominal cavity, causing lesions and inflammation.
Why do you need a thermometer in a pool?
It measures water temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. The large display makes it easy to read from afar. It's made with premium quality materials that are durable and shatter-resistant. Important: Make sure to remove your floating pool thermometer when adding chemicals to the pool.
Can you use infrared thermometer on pool?
If you want something a bit different, take a look at our pick for the best laser thermometer, the Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Gun. This device is a handheld unit that you point at the water to get a reading. You will not need to place it in the pool. This digital unit has a lighted readout screen.
Can I get mercury poisoning from a broken thermometer?
The Bottom Line. A broken mercury-containing thermometer can be toxic if the vapors are inhaled. The risk of poisoning from touching or swallowing mercury from a broken thermometer is low if appropriate clean-up measures are taken.
What happens if you touch mercury from a broken thermometer?
MERCURY EXPOSURE If it is swallowed, like from a broken thermometer, it mostly passes through your body and very little is absorbed. If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you.
Can you still buy mercury thermometers?
While mercury thermometers can measure temperature within one degree Celsius, digital thermometers can be as accurate as 0.001 degrees C a difference of four orders of magnitude in accuracy. This changeover won't be a big deal for the average person "In fact, you can't buy [mercury thermometers] anymore," Strouse said.
What is a mercury thermometer used for?
Mercury thermometers can be used to determine body, liquid, and vapor temperature. Mercury thermometers are used in households, laboratory experiments, and industrial applications.
How much mercury is in a baby thermometer?
Oral/rectal/baby thermometers, containing about 0.61 grams of mercury. Basal temperature thermometers (used to track slight changes in body temperature), containing about 2.25 grams of mercury.
What are some alternatives to mercury fever thermometers?
The most similar alternatives to mercury fever thermometers are battery- and solar-powered digital thermometers.
What is mercury fever thermometer?
Mercury fever thermometers are made of glass the size of a straw, with a silvery-white liquid inside. They are common in many households, schools and medical facilities. There are two general types of mercury thermometers that measure body temperature: Oral/rectal/baby thermometers, containing about 0.61 grams of mercury.
What happens if you break a mercury thermometer?
If you break a thermometer while using it or if you improperly dispose of it, the thermometer will release mercury vapors that are harmful to human and ecological health. What to do when a mercury fever thermometer breaks/spills. How to recycle and dispose of mercury products.
Does the EPA use mercury thermometers?
EPA has launched an effort to reduce the use of mercury-filled non-fever thermometers used in industrial settings where suitable alternatives exist. As part of a partnership EPA developed with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NIST no longer provides calibration services for mercury thermometers. You can read more about the impact the decision will have in NIST’s February 2011 press release announcing the change.
Can you use a thermometer in the armpit?
These can all be used orally, rectally, or in the armpit. You should choose a thermometer that is easy to use and read. If you are choosing a battery-powered digital thermometer, choose one that contains a replaceable battery. Some of these thermometers do not have replaceable batteries.
What happens if a mercury thermometer breaks?
If a mercury thermometer breaks or leaks, it can release toxic vapors. Do not clean up spilled mercury with bare hands. Use protective gloves and contact a poison control center if any mercury is ingested or comes in contact with your skin. Writer Bio.
What is a thermometer used for?
They are often used for measuring body temperature, air temperature, or liquids used in cooking and candy-making.
What is a thermometer that uses a round dial?
A thermometer that registers temperature with a round dial uses this type of mechanism. See if your thermometer has a digital display. Such thermometers use a metal probe to sense temperature. Electronic components in the thermometer can take very accurate and fast temperature readings.
What is a candy thermometer?
Many thermometers that use a dial, such as candy thermometers, use a metal spring that is sensitive to heat. As the metal heats and expands, the spring slowly unwinds, driving the dial or arrow attached to one end of a spring. A thermometer that registers temperature with a round dial uses this type of mechanism.
Does a thermometer crack?
Take care in handling the thermometer so that it does not crack or break. Check if your thermometer is filled with a red-tinted fluid. This type of thermometer uses alcohol, not mercury, to sense temperature 2.
Is mercury a metal?
Mercury is a dangerous metal. If a mercury thermometer breaks or leaks, it can release toxic vapors. Do not clean up spilled mercury with bare hands. Use protective gloves and contact a poison control center if any mercury is ingested or comes in contact with your skin.
Is mercury in a thermometer safe?
While accurate, the mercury inside the thermometer is very dangerous if it comes in contact with skin 2. Take care in handling the thermometer so that it does not crack or break. Check if your thermometer is filled ...
What is a floating pool thermometer?
As the name clearly states, a floating pool thermometer is meant to float on the surface of the water. Basically, it will assess the temperature due to the presence of certain sensors inside the unit. In terms of accuracy, they might not be as efficient.
What happens if you don't maintain a pool thermometer?
If not maintained accordingly, the temperature of the water might generate the growth of bacteria, preventing you from really enjoying your pool to the fullest . This is what makes it primordial for each pool owner to look at several pool thermometer reviews before making a purchase.
What is a LETP thermometer?
This pool thermometer is a practical, very affordable acquisition that will make your life easier when it comes to keeping the temperature of your pool water constant.
What is the maximum temperature for a thermometer?
There are some maximum reading temperatures, though. For Fahrenheit degrees, the maximum would be 100 degrees, whereas for Celsius degrees, it would be 40 degrees. Due to the design of the thermometer, this easily floats on the surface of the water. Therefore, you can see the temperature at a moment’s notice.
Why is it important to keep the temperature of your pool in check?
Not only that keeping the temperature of your pool water in check is important for your comfort, but it is critical for keeping bacteria at bay. If the temperature is too high, this will promote the growth of bacteria, influencing the way in which the chemicals you add in the pool react. So, if you don’t have a pool thermometer just yet, ...
How does a digital thermometer work?
As the name already entails, digital thermometers display the temperature on the spot, right away. Usually, they display the number in the console. In addition to that, some models come with sensing probes that you add into the water to get an accurate reading.
Can you use a thermometer in a pool?
Thanks to that, it can withstand unfavorable weather. This thermometer is useful while adding an ounce of décor to your pool or spa, depending on where you intend to place it.
How long does it take for a pool thermometer to read?
Since it is an analog thermometer design, you should expect it to take a few minutes to get a proper reading once you place it in your pool.
Why is it important to keep your pool at the right temperature?
Keeping your swimming pool at the right temperature is crucial to make sure it stays comfortable, and more importantly, safe for your family and friends. Pool thermometers can help you keep a pulse on that temperature all the time.
Why is it important to have a thermometer?
The whole point of a thermometer is to get an accurate temperature reading. If the thermometer is never reading correctly, then it isn’t beneficial. When it comes to thermometers, you can expect some variations because getting accuracy requires calibration, which is not an easy task.
What is the best laser thermometer?
If you want something a bit different, take a look at our pick for the best laser thermometer, the Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Gun. This device is a handheld unit that you point at the water to get a reading. You will not need to place it in the pool.
Is a pool thermometer easy to use?
Easy to Use. A pool thermometer should not be too complex. It is a simple device that should only require the slightest effort to use. If your thermometer continually needs you to adjust it, clean it, move it, or do something else with it other than just read the display, then it is not very easy to use.
Can you check pool temperature from your couch?
Because it is wireless, you can check your pool temp right from the comfort of your couch. It also provides readings on outside air temperature and humidity. The outside unit runs on solar power with a battery backup. The inside unit has an AC power cord that comes with it as well.
Do pool thermometers break down easily?
Many pool accessories have short lifespans, but thermometers do not fall into this category. Due to their simple design, they can withstand the heat and the other climate issues associated with a pool. The thermometer you choose should not break down easily and should maintain its function for many seasons.
Why do thermometers have mercury?
Many older thermometers contained mercury. Because mercury has very toxic properties that can lead to sickness or death if the thermometer breaks , more modern thermometers use a form of colored alcohol.
Where does liquid stay in a thermometer?
The liquid in a thermometer typically stays in a bulb at the bottom of the device. Because liquids expand as temperatures rise, the liquid climbs the thermometer tube as the temperature warms.
What does the color of a thermometer tell you?
In a thermometer, the color helps determine the type of liquid. Although many people commonly associate thermometers with a mercury filling, the dangerous properties of mercury have spurred manufacturers to use other liquids inside the glass gauges.
How to tell if a thermometer is silver or red?
You can identify the liquid in a thermometer based on its color. Silver liquid indicates that the thermometer contains mercury, while red liquid is alcohol to which red coloring has been added. Although uncommon in modern thermometers, a clear color indicates water.
