What does it mean when a thermometer says mercury free?
What is the number to call if you have a broken thermometer?
How to get mercury beads out of a bag?
How to get rid of mercury beads?
How to pick up broken glass?
How long after a mercury cleanup should I keep the windows open?
How to clean mercury spill?
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What should you do if you break a mercury thermometer?
Sprinkle sulfur powder over the contaminated area and rub it gently all over the surface and into the cracks with a paper towel. Sulfur powder binds with mercury. Use a paper towel dampened with water followed by wiping with another damp paper towel to clean up the sulfur and mercury.
How much mercury is toxic from a thermometer?
It has been reported that the oral intake and ingestion of elemental mercury typically contained in a thermometer (approximately 0.1 mL or 1 gram) does not cause intoxication. Therefore, elemental mercury levels in thermometers are below toxic levels (7).
What happens if you break a mercury free thermometer?
Cleanup and Disposal The non-mercury thermometers are non-toxic and environmentally safe. The broken glass should be placed in a sharps container to prevent injury. The remaining liquid can be cleaned up with soap and water.
How long does mercury vapor stay in the air?
one yearAt 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. Once released into the wider atmosphere, elemental mercury can travel thousands of miles and becomes part of a global pool of atmospheric mercury.
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 much exposure to mercury is harmful?
Blood mercury levels above 100 ng/mL have been reported to be associated with clear signs of mercury poisoning in some individuals (e.g., poor muscle coordination, tingling and numbness in fingers and toes).
How fast does mercury evaporate?
A pea-sized drop of mercury that goes undetected can take up to 384 days to fully vaporize. In that amount of time, it can cause severe neurological damage—especially in infants and children. Spilled mercury does not act like most liquids.
Does mercury penetrate the skin?
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.
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 do you do if you are exposed to mercury vapor?
Treatment of acute mercury exposure generally consists of removal of the patient from further exposure followed by support of respiratory and cardiovascular function. There is no antidote for mercury, but chelation therapy is warranted in some cases.
Are mercury vapors toxic?
Health effects of mercury exposure Elemental and methylmercury are toxic to the central and peripheral nervous systems. The inhalation of mercury vapour can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal.
How long does it take for mercury to leave the body?
A blood test indicates whether you've been exposed to mercury in the last few days. However, blood levels of certain types of mercury decrease rapidly within three to five days. Urine test. Over a period of several months, the level of mercury in the urine also decreases.
What happens when a thermometer is broken?
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.
How do I know if my thermometer is mercury free?
0:051:09How To Use A Mercury Thermometer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHold the thermometer by the top end and shake it until the mercury falls below 35 degrees Celsius orMoreHold the thermometer by the top end and shake it until the mercury falls below 35 degrees Celsius or 95 degrees Fahrenheit wipe the child's armpit with a clean towel or cloth.
What is the liquid inside a thermometer?
mercuryThe liquid that is contained within the thermometer may be one of many different substances, but the most common are mercury, toluene (or a similar organic substance), and low-hazard biodegradable liquids.
Do you have to shake down a non mercury thermometer?
This thermometer is far more accurate than digitals, and it does not easily break. Don't use the sock trick, you just need to hold this at the end of the tube and flick your wrist with a downward motion for about ten seconds. It will shake down just fine.
How long does mercury stay around in a room after a spillage (e.g ...
Answer (1 of 5): From Department of Health on cleaning mercury spills (I also want an answer on how long its in the air, but this is more in reply to the one who said to vacuum it (dont!!!)) Avoid spreading spilled mercury! * Never use a vacuum cleaner, mop or broom to clean up a mercury spil...
I have broken a mercury thermometer. How do I clean up the spill?
Mercury is a highly toxic liquid metal that ‘shatters' into tiny balls, so take great care when cleaning it up. The poisonous vapour is the main threat. For help cleaning up a mercury spill, contact Fire & Rescue NSW.
What to Do If You Spill More Mercury Than the Amount in a Thermometer
1. Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury. The vacuum will put mercury into the air and increase exposure. 2. Never use a broom to clean up mercury.
Why is it dangerous to use a mercury thermometer?
Mercury thermometers themselves are not dangerous under the condition the mer cury is inside a thermometer. Once it gets out when the device is broken, it can be come dangerous.
What is a thermometer filled with?
There are several types of thermometers available on the market today. The ones resembling mercury thermometers are now filled with coloured alcohol. Others are electric devices of several types generally divided into the ones which require contact with the person for measuring temperature and the ones which can measure it without any contact.
Is mercury thermometer accurate?
Finally, many people have noticed that mercury thermometers are also more accurate than the ones made with alcohol. That is why, some people do not switch to other thermometers until their mercury ones get broken. And this is exactly where the threat of such thermometers is.
Can you use a mercury thermometer to collect split mercury?
As you can see, the major problem of using a mercury thermometer is the risk of it getting broken which will lead to mercury contamination. It is not easy to collect split mercury and it is also not obvious to many people what to do next since this mercury can be utilised exclusively by special services. Otherwise mercury can get into public places or natural sights where it can cause contamination as well.
Is it safe to swallow mercury?
Mercury coming out of a thermometer can contaminate surroundings and get inside a human body. It is crucial to understand that in the majority of cases swallowing mercury is not thus dangerous as breathing it in. According to experts, healthy digestive system will not allow mercury to be absorbed inside the body, however, mercury easily evaporates which can let it get inside one’s lungs. In such a way, it can be poisonous.
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 a thermometer is broken?
If a mercury-containing thermometer is broken, do not clean up the spilled mercury with a vacuum cleaner. This Really Happened. An 11-month-old girl was seen in a hospital because she developed loss of appetite, difficulty crawling, drowsiness, an itchy rash, red skin on her hands, and peeling skin on her feet.
How much mercury is in a thermometer?
Most oral and rectal thermometers contain about 0.5-0.6 grams of mercury. The main health problems from mercury are from the vapors. These are produced at room temperature and especially when mercury is heated. The vapors can be inhaled and are absorbed into the body.
Why are thermometers declining?
Calls to Poison Control about mercury from broken thermometers are declining because of the availability of other types of thermometers. Although mercury is considered a highly toxic substance, the overall risk of toxicity from a broken mercury-containing thermometer is low when appropriate clean-up measures are taken.
What is the oldest thermometer?
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 to get rid of mercury in mouth?
Ingestion of small amounts of mercury usually do not need a specific treatment, but rinsing with water then spitting can help remove any mercury remaining in the mouth. For people with symptoms, special drugs can be given to help remove the mercury from the body.
What to do if a battery is swallowed?
If a battery is swallowed, contact the battery ingestion hotline at 800-498-8666. Exposure to broken glass thermometers can lead to injury from the broken glass. Studies of children in emergency rooms have noted injury to the mouth, rectum, and ear from broken thermometer glass.
What surfaces can you clean with mercury?
Mercury can be cleaned up easily from the following surfaces: wood, linoleum, tile, and most other hard, smooth surfaces.
What does it mean when a thermometer says mercury free?
If there is a paper calibration strip inside of the thermometer that includes the words “mercury free,” then the liquid in the thermometer is not mercury. If you do NOT see the words “mercury free," then assume that the liquid is mercury.
What is the number to call if you have a broken thermometer?
If you have questions about the potential health effects after being exposed to a broken thermometer, then please call your physician or your local poison control center at 1 (800) 222-1222.
How to get mercury beads out of a bag?
Use the eyedropper to collect or draw up the mercury beads. 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.
How to get rid of mercury beads?
After you remove larger beads, put shaving cream on top of small paint brush and gently "dot" the affected area to pick up smaller hard-to-see beads. Alternatively, use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments (Peel the tape very slowly from the floor to keep the mercury beads stuck to the tape.) Place the paint brush or duct tape in a zip locking bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.
How to pick up broken glass?
If there are any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, pick them up with care. Place all broken objects on a paper towel. Fold the paper towel and place in a zip locking bag. Secure the bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.
How long after a mercury cleanup should I keep the windows open?
After cleanup: Remember to keep the area well ventilated to the outside (i.e., windows open and fans in exterior windows running) for at least 24 hours after your successful cleanup. You may want to request the services of a contractor who has monitoring equipment to screen for mercury vapors.
How to clean mercury spill?
Have everyone else leave the area; don't let anyone walk through the mercury on their way out. Make sure all pets are removed from the area. Open all windows and doors to the outside; shut all doors to other parts of the house. DO NOT allow children to help you clean up the spill.
