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What should I do if I have a mercury spill?
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When liquid mercury is spilled, it forms droplets that
can accumulate in the tiniest of spaces and then emit vapors into the
air. Mercury vapor in the air is odorless, colorless, and very toxic.
Most mercury exposures occur by breathing vapors, by direct skin
contact or by eating food or drinking water contaminated with mercury.
Health problems caused by mercury depend on how much has entered
your body, how it entered your body, how long you have been exposed to
it, and how your body responds to the mercury. All mercury spills,
regardless of quantity, should be treated seriously. |
| There are three different procedures
to address mercury spills. |
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1. Spills: Less than or equal to the amount in a
thermometer
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 1.-
Remove everyone from the area where cleanup will take place.
DO NOT allow or gain assistance from children. Remember to
remove all pets as well. |
2.- If you are using powdered sulfur, sprinkle it
over the spill area at this time. The sulfur does two
things: (1) it makes the mercury easier to see since
there is a color change from yellow to brown and (2) it
keeps the mercury from vaporizing. Powdered sulfur may
be purchased at garden supply houses or pharmacies.
Please note that powdered sulfur may stain fabrics a
dark color.
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3.-
Put on rubber or latex gloves. |
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4.-
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 lock bag. Secure the
bag and label the bag accordingly ( i.e., broken glass). |
5.-
Use a squeegee or cardboard to gather mercury beads. Use
slow sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming
uncontrollable. Use a flash light to look for any
additional mercury beads that may be sticking to the
surface or in small cracked areas of the surface.
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6.-
Use the eyedropper to collect or draw up the mercury beads.
Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel.
Place the paper towel in a zip lock bag and secure. Make sure
to label the bag. |
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7.-
Place all materials used with the cleanup in a trash bag.
Place all mercury beads and objects into the trash bag. Secure
trash bag and label bag. Remember to remove gloves and place
in trash bag. |
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8.-
Contact your local health department or your local fire
department for proper disposal in accordance with local, state
and federal laws. |
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9.-
Remember to keep a window open for at least 24 hours after
your successful cleanup. Continue to keep pets and children
out of cleanup area. If sickness occurs, seek medical
attention immediately. |
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10.-
Sprinkle sulfur powder on the spill area after cleaning up the
mercury; a color change from yellow to brown indicates that
mercury is still present. |
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11.-
Mercury can be cleaned up easily from the following surfaces:
wood, linoleum, tile and any other like surfaces. If a spill
occurs on carpet, curtains, upholstery or other like surfaces,
these contaminated items should be thrown away in accordance
with the disposal means outlined below. Only cut and remove
the effected portion of the contaminated carpet for disposal.
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2. Spills: More than the amount in a
thermometer
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