how to dispose of mercury thermometer

In the event mercury containing items are broken, keep children and pets away; immediately open windows in the exposed area (if possible); wearing gloves and a face mask clean up the area using rags and items that can be … Shipment through a hazardous waste transporter to … Don't allow anybody to step on the mercury or the shards of glass. Carefully pour off as much water as you can and then use an eyedropper to pick up the mercury. Use an eyedropper or heavy duty tape to pick up any tiny spheres. Small businesses may be able to dispose of mercury-containing thermometers and other mercury-containing devices at town or solid waste district collection events. We encourage those wishing to dispose of mercury thermometers to contact their local community to determine what agency is responsible for disposal of hazardous material in that municipality. Transport and deliver thermometers in a double container: -place the thermometer in the original protective case or other non-breakable container For homes still living in the dark ages and using mercury thermometers, you’re operating with a huge risk in the house. The following disposal options are available to commercial/institutional generators of mercury-containing thermometers: 1. Mercury thermometers are made of glass and contains a silver, metallic gray or black liquid. To effectively dispose of the thermometer, you must first research household hazardous waste facilities in your area. Wipe off any visible beads of mercury with the wet paper towels and then place them into the plastic bag. How To Dispose Of Mercury Thermometers Safely. If a mercury-containing thermometer is broken, do not clean up the spilled mercury with a vacuum cleaner. You will likely have to utilize your local household hazardous waste (HHW) facility or events to properly dispose of and … plastic bleach bottle). See Key Actions below to use an interactive map or search by location to find nearby collection and recycling sites.. See Additional Resources below to learn more about safe management and disposal of fluorescent bulbs, proper cleanup of broken bulbs and elemental mercury spills, and more. Put thermometer in a non-breakable sealed container (e.g. Direct shipment as … 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. We hope this guide proved useful in showing you the appropriate steps to follow to dispose of your mercury-containing product. Clearly label the bottle "thermometer or mercury". When a mercury thermometer breaks, liquid mercury may spill out and can separate into small beads and can roll some distance away. Printer-friendly version; Environmental Health and Safety. If you are unable to recycle due to the current health emergency, please do not dispose of your mercury thermostats in the trash. If your thermometer is still intact, you will need to take it to your local household hazardous waste (HHW) facility. Let everyone in the area know that the room is off-limits, or leave a sign on the door. In spite of mercury's high toxicity, it is still found in home thermometers and florescent light bulbs. Drop off locations listed below: Clean liquid mercury from absorbent surfaces. Mercury as a preservative, such as thiomersal and antiseptic such as merbromin may be recycled or disposed of … How to Check for Mercury. A silver, metallic liquid will be visible from inside the bulb or vial if the thermometer contains mercury. There may be a small charge for disposal and pre-registration is usually required. Elemental mercury, otherwise known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum, may be reclaimed from obsolete apparatus such as sphygomanometers and mercury in glass thermometers for future use. Direct shipment as "Universal Waste" to a mercury recycling facility. Get assistance: Broken mercury thermometer If you have a broken mercury thermometer, follow the instructions on the MPCA factsheet Cleaning up Spilled Mercury in the Home and bring broken item and clean up materials in a closed bag to a Hennepin County Drop-off Facility . 1. have all people and pets leave, then ventilate the room (continue to do so for 24 hours) 2. put on heavy duty rubber gloves and p… Hazardous Waste. Knowing how to dispose of mercury the proper way is essential, whether you operate a business or are cleaning out your home. How to Dispose of Mercury if Thermometer Breaks? Store and recycle them when normal operations resume. Mercury is highly toxic, and even short-term exposure due to a spillage or cracked thermometer can lead to harmful effects. How Our Disposal Service Works Our medical services team will arrange a collection from your premises: The mercury is transported in a secure container The remaining liquid can be cleaned up with soap and water. Do not simply throw mercury-containing or mercury-glass thermometers away in the trash, because the mercury is considered "hazardous waste." If you don’t follow safe disposal practices, items containing mercury can: Break when they are thrown into school trash cans or dumpsters, causing mercury to spill and contaminate school grounds (make them unsafe). We maintain more than 3,400 collection locations nationwide … First, cut out the contaminated pieces of fabric and seal them in a plastic bag. Make special effort to ensure that children stay away. Small businesses may be able to dispose of mercury-containing thermometers and other mercury-containing devices at town or solid waste district collection events. Replacement of fever thermometers, mercury thermostats and disposal of mercury products for residents only. Pack the thermometer in a puncture-resistant, non-breakable sealed container such as a plastic bottle and then label the container as a thermometer with a … If the worse should happen and the thermometer drops, cracks, or breaks, this is how to need to take care of it. Ask everyone to step away from the area around the broken thermometer immediately. You can start with our list of common items containing mercury, but also remember that computers, tablets, mobile phones and other items that rely on printed circuit boards may also contain some mercury and other toxic metals. Disposal of mercury wastes in the regular trash or down the drain is illegal and unsafe. The safest way to deal with a broken mercury thermometer is to clean up the mercury immediately, and then safely dispose of anything that the mercury touched. Call 911 if a thermometer, thermostat or wall-mounted blood pressure cuff is broken and mercury is released. If you are a business, school, or other non-household site that is a CEG, you can take elemental mercury, mercury-containing compounds or mercury-containing devices for safe disposal to a permanent HHW collection facility or a HHW collection event. To prevent possible contamination, stop using your mercury thermometer. A uniform approach to disposal of all mercury-containing products must occur if there is to be an effective way to keep mercury out of the environment. Sweep gently to avoid suspending powders in the air. Remove contaminated shoes and clothing and place them in a plastic bag. Only mercury containing thermometers are accepted. Red colored thermometers do not contain mercury. Mercury. The first step to the safe disposal of mercury is to identify the main mercury-containing products that that you are likely to come across. The best way to prevent dangerous spills in your school is to get rid of mercury, but you have to do it safely. While mercury isn’t recyclable, many of these products are. Identifying Mercury-Containing Items. Properly dispose of contaminated cleanup materials. Cleanup and Disposal. Find a local hazardous waste disposal service Certain household products may pose a risk to human health or the environment if not disposed of correctly. Mercury poisoning is a real threat to the planet and all life upon it. Each mercury thermometer contains approximately one gram of mercury. Use gloves and clean it up with something that can be thrown away. Do not vacuum broken lamp or thermometer debris. Disposing of household items containing mercury or disposing of industrial-use mercury requires knowledge of local, state and federal requirements so that you dispose of the mercury in accordance with the law. 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. Mercury thermometers are made of glass broken and mercury is considered `` hazardous waste. off-limits... Mercury poisoning is a real threat to the planet and all life upon it silver metallic! `` hazardous waste ( HHW ) facility the area around the broken glass should be placed in a sealed or. A vacuum cleaner do n't allow anybody to step on the door or blue liquid, it s! Metallic gray or black liquid the thermometer contains a silver, metallic gray or black liquid illegal and.. Or vial if the thermometer contains mercury remove contaminated shoes and clothing place... 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