CLEANING UP LIQUID MERCURY SPILLS
One of the most common childhood exposures to mercury occurs when a mercury thermometer breaks. Another relatively common scenario is exposure to spilled liquid mercury in a school chemistry lab. When spilled, liquid mercury immediately breaks up into droplets. These droplets continue to break into smaller droplets when disturbed. They are quite mobile on certain surfaces and can accumulate in the tiniest spaces. The mercury vaporizes and is easily inhaled. Mercury vapor is odorless, colorless, and very toxic. Even a very small quantity of mercury spilled in a room will produce vapor concentrations that are dangerous to human health.
Any mercury spill larger than 2 tablespoons (this equals one pound) must be reported to the EPA National Response Center (1-800-424-8802). This is required by law. The site should be cleaned and decontaminated by EPA or a professional environmental cleanup firm.
All mercury releases of any volume should be reported to your state department of health:
Iowa (IDPH): 515-281-7689
Kansas (KDHE): 785-296-1679
Missouri (DHSS): 573-751-6400
Nebraska (NHHS): 402-471-2306
They can assist in contacting EPA if needed and provide names of certified professional environmental cleanup firms. If the spill occurs at work or school contact the institutional health and safety personnel. Call your local county health department or poison control center for answers to health questions.
For small spills that are larger in volume than the amount in a thermometer:
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DO NOT use a vacuum cleaner. A vacuum will put mercury into the air, increasing exposure. The vacuum cleaner would also become contaminated and have to be disposed of.
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DO NOT use a broom to clean up mercury. Sweeping will just break the mercury up into smaller droplets and spread them around.
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DO NOT try to clean up mercury with cloth or paper towels. Mercury cannot be absorbed. Attempting this will also increase contamination.
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DO NOT pour mercury down a drain. It could lodge in the plumbing and cause problems during future plumbing repairs. If discharged, it can pollute a septic tank or sewage treatment plant.
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DO NOT put contaminated garments or other contaminated items in a washing machine or dryer, or combine them with other clothing. Mercury can contaminate the laundry appliance and/or pollute sewage water.
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DO NOT attempt to clean up mercury with household products like Windex®, Formula 409®, bleach or similar cleaners containing ammonia or chlorine. They will react violently with mercury, releasing toxic gases.
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DO NOT walk around if your shoes might be contaminated with mercury. Contaminated clothing can also spread mercury around.
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DO NOT allow children to assist in the cleanup process.
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people and pets from the cleanup vicinity. Open windows and close doors to the rest of the house or building.
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off the central heating or air conditioning system. Seal the heating and air conditioning ducts.
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to use fans for a minimum of one hour to ventilate the room.
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rubber or latex gloves.
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up any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects with care. Fold all broken objects into a paper towel or newspaper and place into a zip lock bag. Label and secure the bag.
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a piece of cardboard or stiff paper to gather mercury beads onto another piece of paper. Use slow, sweeping motions to maintain control of the beads. Search for additional glistening beads of mercury by darkening the room and holding a flashlight at a low angle close to the floor. Search the entire room. Use duct tape to collect smaller, hard-to-see mercury beads.
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all mercury and any paper that you used into a zip lock bag. Label and secure the bag. Leave the recovered mercury in the room in which the spill occurred.
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your local health department to find out if and how you can dispose of the mercury and contaminated products with your household trash. If that is not allowed in your area, the health department will direct you to the nearest approved mercury disposal location.
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the spill site well-ventilated to the outside for at least 24 hours after your successful cleanup. Continue to keep children and pets out of the area. If sickness occurs, seek immediate medical help. If there is a young child or pregnant woman in the house, seek additional advice from your health department or local PEHSU. |
