Does Mercury in a thermometer go bad?
Thermometers do not expire, but they do have to eventually be replaced. Digital thermometers will last about 3 to 5 years, while mercury thermometers will last indefinitely as long as they aren’t cracked or damaged. Do mercury thermometers lose accuracy over time? Mercury thermometers cannot be adjusted after calibration.
Is swallowing Mercury in the thermometer harmful?
The risk of poisoning from touching or swallowing mercury from a broken thermometer is low if appropriate clean-up measures are taken. A fever can be a sign of an infection or other medical conditions, so it is useful to be able to check body temperature with a thermometer.
How toxic is mercury from a thermometer?
“When a mercury thermometer breaks, the mercury spilled starts vaporising immediately in temperatures of 22-24 degrees Celsius. The vapours can be inhaled by anyone in the vicinity. It goes straight into the lungs and into the blood and the brain. It is very dangerous. Why does a liquid rise in a thermometer?
Can you still buy thermometers with Mercury?
You cannot buy mercury thermometers any more as they are discontinued as being unsafe due to the mercury content. We have to use digital ones now. Neeta-K in reply to shaws 8 years ago Makes sense why I can't find one then! Duchy82 8 years ago
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Can mercury from a thermometer hurt you?
Mercury is a very toxic or poisonous substance that people can be exposed to in several ways. 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.
What happens if mercury thermometer breaks in mouth?
Worry about the glass, not the mercury in thermometers Immediately try taking the glass particles out from your mouth and if by chance if you swallowed the glass particles of the broken thermometer immediately consult your doctor.
What do you do if you break a mercury thermometer?
The preferred method of disposal for unbroken mercury thermometers and the mercury from broken thermometers is to take them to a local household hazardous waste collection facility or thermometer collection site if one is available in your area.
What happens if you inhale mercury?
The inhalation of mercury vapour can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal. The inorganic salts of mercury are corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
What mercury poisoning feels like?
Symptoms of mercury poisoning depend on the form of the mercury that was the source of the exposure. Early symptoms of mercury poisoning can include a metallic taste in the mouth and numbness and tingling in the hands, feet and face.
How do you test for mercury poisoning?
The most commonly accepted methods of assessing mercury exposure are to test urine or blood. Both tests usually measure levels of total mercury (elemental, inorganic and organic). Elevated mercury in urine usually indicates exposure to an elemental or inorganic source of mercury, such as from a job that uses mercury.
Does mercury vapor go away?
At room temperature, exposed elemental mercury can evaporate to become an invisible, odorless toxic vapor. This vapor has a very long life (up to one year) in the air.
How long does mercury take to evaporate?
Unlike some liquids, mercury vapors are colorless and odorless. This makes it hard to detect without the use of specialized instruments. A pea-sized drop of mercury that goes undetected can take up to 384 days to fully vaporize.
What does mercury smell like?
Mercury has a very sparse atmosphere and so would not have much of a smell at all.
What should you do after being exposed to mercury?
Organic mercury can damage your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Large amounts of mercury or long-term exposure can lead to death if not treated. If you've been exposed to mercury, contact the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 and visit the emergency room immediately.
Can mercury poisoning be healed?
There's no cure for mercury poisoning. The best way to treat mercury poisoning is to limit your exposure to the metal. If you eat a lot of mercury-containing seafood, a doctor may caution you to stop immediately.
Can mercury be removed from the brain?
Treatment for exposure to organic mercury usually consists of medicines called chelators. These remove mercury from the blood and move it away from the brain and kidneys. Often, these medicines will have to be used for weeks to months.
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.
How quickly does mercury evaporate?
Unlike some liquids, mercury vapors are colorless and odorless. This makes it hard to detect without the use of specialized instruments. A pea-sized drop of mercury that goes undetected can take up to 384 days to fully vaporize.
How much mercury is in a thermometer?
A typical mercury thermometer contains approximately 0.7 grams of mercury (700 milligrams), but larger thermometers can contain as much as three grams.
Do all thermometers have mercury?
The oldest thermometers used are mercury in glass. Newer thermometers include non-mercury liquids in glass and digital and electronic devices that use sensors to measure temperature. Thermometers that check body temperature in the ear, across the forehead, or have a digital display do not contain mercury.
How much mercury is in a thermometer?
Each thermometer contains about .5-1.5 grams of mercury. One gram of mercury can contaminate a 20 acre lake, enough to cause a public advisory to be issued on the potential dangers of eating fish caught in that lake. To prevent possible contamination, stop using your mercury thermometer.
What are some alternatives to mercury thermometers?
There are several alternatives to mercury thermometers: digital thermometers. glass gallium-tin thermometers. glass alcohol thermometers. These non-mercury fever thermometers are just as good as mercury thermometers and much safer. Dangers of Mercury. Mercury is a very dense element that is the only metal to exist as a liquid at room temperature.
What happens when a mercury bulb breaks?
Mercury is toxic to living organisms, including you and your family. When mercury is released, it turns into a vapor in the air and eventually comes back to the earth.
How does mercury affect a baby?
It can affect the developing fetus by stopping the brain and nervous system from properly functioning.
Is mercury a dangerous substance?
What You Should Know About Mercury Thermometers. The small silvery ball in a mercury thermometer can be dangerous if the glass breaks and the mercury is not cleaned up properly. The mercury will evaporate and can contaminate the surrounding air and become toxic to humans and wildlife. Each thermometer contains about .5-1.5 grams of mercury.
Can you dispose of mercury thermometers?
To prevent possible contamination, stop using your mercury thermometer. Get a new, safer type of thermometer and contact your local recycling center to find out how to dispose of your old mercury thermometer safely. These non-mercury fever thermometers are just as good as mercury thermometers and much safer.
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.
What is mercury thermometer?
In a mercury thermometer, a glass tube is filled with mercury and a standard temperature scale is marked on the tube. With changes in temperature, the mercury expands and contracts, and the temperature can be read from the scale. Mercury thermometers can be used to determine body, liquid, and vapor temperature. Mercury thermometers are used in households, laboratory experiments, and industrial applications.
What states have laws against mercury thermometers?
At least 13 states – California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Oregon, and Washington – have passed such laws. The Health Care Without Harm website presents information on specific state laws, resolutions and declarations. Exit
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.
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 recycle mercury in a thermometer?
The battery is a button-cell battery and may contain a small amount of mercury, so it should be recycled with a hazardous waste collection program. You can use Earth911's Recycling Locator Exit to find a mercury recycling center near you.
Can you use mercury free fever thermometers in the armpit?
A variety of accurate and reliable mercury-free fever thermometers are available at your local pharmacy. The most similar alternatives to mercury fever thermometers are battery- and solar-powered digital thermometers. These are similar to mercury thermometers in both price and use. These can all be used orally, rectally, or in the armpit. You should choose a thermometer that is easy to use and read.
How long does Mercury take to leave your body?
Even if you cease being exposed to mercury, it remains in your body. It might take up to 18 years for the body to eliminate half of the mercury intake. Once mercury has entered the body, it can only be expelled very slowly.
Is it possible to take up mercury using a magnet?
The element mercury is not extremely magnetic at ambient temperature. Mercury has a very modest negative magnetic susceptibility, which means that when it is placed in a magnetic field, it magnetizes in the opposite direction. At room temperature, mercury is said to be a slightly diamagnetic material.
What is Mercury so dangerous?
Because it vaporizes at normal temperature, this liquid form of mercury is very hazardous. When mercury vapor is breathed, it is quickly absorbed by the body, where it first enters the lungs, then the blood, and finally the brain. Sleep disturbances, anxiety, and paralysis are all possible side effects of the nerve toxin.
Is mercury harmful to the brain?
Mercury salts predominantly impact the gastrointestinal system and kidneys, and may cause significant renal damage; however, since they cannot readily pass the blood–brain barrier, they produce minimal neurological harm until exposed for long periods of time.
Is there any value in mercury?
According tohttp://www.metal-pages.com/metalprices/mercury/, mercury is the most expensive metal. It is presently valued little about $3540 per flask for 99.99 percent pure mercury, with a flask weighing 36 kilograms. So, according to a simple back-of-the-envelope estimate, 20 pounds is worth about £500!
What happens when mercury and aluminum are combined?
The exposed aluminum metal may then create an amalgam with the metallic mercury. Water subsequently oxidizes the amalgamatedaluminium, turning it to aluminium hydroxide and releasing freemetallic mercury.
What effects does mercury have on your body?
Mercury poisoning, even in modest doses, may cause major health issues and jeopardize a child’s development in utero and early in life. Mercury may harm the neurological, digestive, and immunological systems, as well as the lungs, kidneys, skin, and eyes.
What happens if you inhale mercury?
If mercury vapor is inhaled, it is easily absorbed by the body, where it first gets into the lungs and from there into the blood and the brain. The nerve poison can cause sleep disorders, agitation, and paralysis.
How long does it take for mercury poisoning to clear up?
It can take weeks for the symptoms from mercury poisoning to clear up.
Is mercury dangerous to use in a lamp?
This liquid form of mercury is especially dangerous because it vaporizes at room temperature. And when it vaporizes, it fills the air with tiny, ...
Can a broken thermometer cause mercury poisoning?
Even a simple thing such as a broken thermometer can lead to mercury poisoning. It can be particularly dangerous in a children's playroom if liquid mercury seeps into cracks and corners and is left undisturbed to vaporize. "It's not like with hot water - water vaporizes and is gone.
Is mercury safe to drink?
With talks underway in Geneva on plans to ban the use of the poisonous substance mercury, you might be surprised to read that it's technically safe to drink - although you shouldn't try it at home. People tend to associate mercury with its silvery liquid form - perhaps found in old thermometers. It was also used in electrical switches ...
Can you drink mercury?
"Taken orally, without inhaling, there's almost no risk," says Gebel. But you really shouldn't try drinking mercury - most of the patients in the 19th century didn' t survive.
Can mercury poisoning affect fertility?
Mercury poisoning via heavily contaminated seafood and fish can harm a person's fertility as well as threaten their nervous system.
What happens if you drop mercury?
Also, if it is heated, as in artisanal gold mining, the risks are high. So, I agree, when mercury is dropped or vaporizes, evacuate the building.
What is the most toxic form of mercury?
Form dictates toxicity. The most toxic is inhaling gaseous mercury. It goes straight to the brain and causes insanity.
Why did Jack London rub mercury on himself?
Jack London used to rub it on himself in belief that it would cure him of illness. Needless to say, he did develop mercury poisoning, but that was over many years. So, I am sure touching it once won't hurt you at all.
Can mercury cause kidney failure?
Even if mercury continues to be ingested, it will not cause insanity but it could cause kidney failure. Popping a few balls of Hg from a thermometer into your mouth isn't a good idea, but it's not likely to hurt you. Bacteria transform inorganic mercury into MeHg, which accumulates up the food chain.
When was mercury used in grade school?
As a grade school kid back in the 1950's we always played with mercury. Loved dropping it on the desk into many tiny beads, then push them all together to form a bigger bead. Nobody told us it was bad.
Can you absorb mercury from tuna?
In fact you could absorb more mercury by eating a can of tuna.
Does mercury absorb through skin?
Mercury does not absorb through your skin instantly. Elemental mercury does absorb through your skin, but at a very slow pace (I really mean very slowly). As long as you don't expose your skin to the metal too much and you wash your hands after then you would be fine. If any mercury did absorb through your skin then because the amount will be so small then you would urinate it out leaving no mercury in your body meaning it won't build up to harmful amounts. In fact you could absorb more mercury by eating a can of tuna. I'm not trying to build up a false sense of safety with this material, as it's not something you should have out all the time. If you kept exposing yourself everyday even in small amounts could build to harmful amounts in the body, while if it you did it a couple of times a month then it won't build up. And as for the vapor, when the mercury is at room temp then the evaporation rate is only 0.063 ml per hour per cm squared of surface area exposed of mercury.
