What to do if you break a mercury thermometer

Since childhood, I have been frightened by the fact that a mercury thermometer must be handled with care. At school, the dangerous properties of mercury were scientifically confirmed. However, no one ever told me what the consequences could be or what to do in such cases. Perhaps because the danger was exaggerated? It's time to reveal this secret.

How dangerous is a broken thermometer?

One thermometer contains about 4 grams of mercury, which does not seem like a dangerous amount. However, it is not the small droplets that are dangerous, but the mercury vapor. Evaporation occurs even at room temperature. If you ignore the danger, the following symptoms of poisoning may appear in 8-24 hours: general weakness, headache, heart failure, anxiety, memory and concentration problems, etc. In such a situation, you should seek medical attention.

How not to clean up mercury

If a person has a small indoor "accident," they want to quickly fix it using standard automatic methods. This is the case when standard methods will be harmful.

1). Do not use a vacuum cleaner for cleaning. Firstly, the vacuum cleaner filters will not capture all the mercury, so the crushed mercury particles will settle on all surfaces around. Secondly, the mercury retained in the filters inside the vacuum cleaner will make its further use quite dangerous.

2). Do not remove mercury with a broom. This will lead to crushing and smearing of the droplets.

3). Do not use a rag to clean up mercury. This will again smear the mercury on the floor and increase the evaporation area.

How to collect mercury drops yourself

Employees of the State Emergency Service advise not to collect drops on their own, but to call 101. However, it is also possible to resolve the situation yourself.

1). First, you need to take all animals and people who are not involved in the cleaning out of the room.

2). Close the door to the room where the thermometer broke to prevent contaminated air from entering other rooms.

3). Open the window in the room where the thermometer broke. Do not create a draft.

4). Determine the maximum area of the room where mercury droplets could have gotten in. Start the examination from the periphery to the center where the thermometer broke. Carefully inspect all objects and surfaces. The droplets may be very small, so use a flashlight to inspect. Check all corners, cracks, and crevices well. Silver balls will shine in the light of a flashlight.

5). Start collecting mercury from the largest drops so that they do not break into smaller ones. To do this, use a thick sheet of paper folded in half. Use a thick needle or knitting needle to roll the mercury drops onto the sheet.

6). For small drops or a film of mercury on the surface, use wet wipes, wet cotton pads, or adhesive tape to make the drops stick. Mercury droplets can be removed from crevices using a medical syringe with a thick needle.

7). If mercury particles get behind the baseboard or under the laminate flooring, they should be removed and carefully inspected. If mercury gets on the carpet, it will have to be thrown away.

8). Carefully place the pieces of paper, tape, and the remains of the thermometer in a glass jar with cold water (water reduces the evaporation of mercury). Put the lid on tightly and keep it on the balcony or in the garage. It should never be thrown away, as this will lead to new contamination.

9). Call 101 and find out how to properly dispose of a mercury can.

Chemical cleaning of the room

We proceed to this stage only if all mercury droplets have been collected and all contaminated items have been removed from the room.

1). Close the windows and doors in the room.

2). Pour 1 liter of "Bilyna" or other chlorine-based cleaner and 8 liters of cold water into a bucket.

3). Put on rubber gloves and treat the surfaces with the solution. Pay special attention to corners, crevices and cracks.

4). After a break of 3 hours, wet clean the entire apartment. Ventilate the room intensively.

5). Within 10-15 days, it is necessary to carry out daily wet cleaning with a small addition of "Whiteness" and frequent long-term ventilation.

Олег Пархітько