| Mercury is a heavy, silver colored metal element | | | | - Assemble clean up supplies: |
| which is in a variety of household, chemical and | | | | - Eye dropper or syringe without a needle to pick |
| industrial items like thermometers, thermostats | | | | up the mercury |
| and fluorescent light bulbs, energy saving light | | | | - Plastic container with lid to hold mercury |
| bulbs, and blood pressure monitoring devices. | | | | - Wide duct tape or masking tape to help pick up |
| Mercury is also used in barometers, batteries | | | | mercury beads |
| containing mercury, and some small electronic | | | | - Plastic zip-lock bags to store any mercury |
| devices. It is in outdoor lighting, motion picture | | | | contaminated debris |
| projection, and even in the manufacture of some | | | | - Rubber gloves to protect hands from contact |
| medications. | | | | - Trash bag to contain any mercury waste |
| Liquid mercury evaporates at room temperature | | | | - Index cards, playing cards, or rigid paper for |
| and these vapors are invisible, odorless, and at | | | | collecting beads |
| high levels are very toxic. Mercury vapors can | | | | - Flashlight |
| harm the nervous systems, cardiovascular | | | | - Collect the mercury and place it in unbreakable |
| system, digestive tract, kidneys, and normal | | | | plastic container |
| childhood development. Since it is toxic to humans | | | | - Use a bright light to illuminate hidden droplets and |
| and wildlife, it must be managed properly. | | | | clean up, using either a card or dust pan. |
| A small spill is less than 2 tablespoons or 1 fluid | | | | - With a card, gently push mercury droplets away |
| ounce of mercury, which would make a pool | | | | from carpet, fabric, or porous surfaces and |
| about the size of a quarter. | | | | towards other droplets to combine them into |
| - A fever thermometer contains 0.5 -0.7.grams of | | | | larger droplets. |
| mercury. | | | | - Use flashlight to check carefully for any missed |
| - A 4 foot fluorescent light bulb contains 10-40 | | | | beads of mercury. |
| milligrams | | | | - Continue ventilation of area. |
| - A thermostat contains approximately 3 grams. | | | | - If mercury contaminated carpeting or a soft |
| - A sphygmomanometer (blood pressure | | | | surface item, evaluate its removal. |
| measuring device) contains hundreds of grams of | | | | - Package materials securely and label "Mercury |
| mercury. | | | | contaminated". |
| The small amount of elemental mercury in | | | | - Disposal requirements may differ depending on |
| thermometers and thermostats is not likely to | | | | whether the spill occurred in a household or |
| cause serious health problems if it is cleaned up | | | | business. |
| immediately. The mercury in a broken fluorescent | | | | When cleaning up a small spill, NEVER: |
| light bulb is not readily visible but it also should be | | | | - Never use an ordinary vacuum or shop vacuum |
| cleaned up promptly. | | | | to clean up as it creates toxic vapors. |
| Procedures to be followed in cleanup after a | | | | - Never use a broom or paintbrush as it breaks |
| thermometer is broken either in the home or | | | | mercury into smaller beads and scatters it further. |
| workplace: | | | | - Never walk around in an area that is |
| - Everyone should stay away from the area to | | | | contaminated with mercury. |
| avoid the spread of contamination. | | | | - Never put mercury in the trash or a burn barrel. |
| - Children and pregnant women should be | | | | - Never wash mercury contaminated clothing in |
| removed from the area immediately. | | | | washing machine as it may contaminate the |
| - Ventilate the room or area. | | | | machine and get into water system. |
| - Check for mercury on the soles of the shoes | | | | - Never pour down the drain. |
| and clothing. | | | | The cleanup of a small mercury spill is not |
| - Remove any contaminated clothes that might | | | | complex and it can be done safely if these |
| have been splashed with mercury. | | | | procedures are followed. |