how to dispose mercury from broken thermometer

Mercury thermometers are a great tool that help us tell temperature, but if one breaks you can’t just throw it in the garbage. In spite of mercury's high toxicity, it is still found in home thermometers and florescent light bulbs. continued… Contact your local health department, municipal waste authority, or your local fire department for proper disposal in accordance with local, state and … The requirements for disposing of a broken thermometer can differ by city, Call your local health department or municipal waste facility to ask how to label and dispose of the bag. - Don�t touch the mercury with your bare hands If there are any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, pick them up with care. Open all windows and doors to the outside; shut all doors to other parts of the house. Fold the paper towel and place in a zip locking bag. Place all broken objects on a paper towel. If a spill occurs on carpet, curtains, upholstery or other absorbent surfaces, these contaminated items should be thrown away in accordance with the disposal means outlined below. Do not simply throw mercury-containing or mercury-glass thermometers away in the trash, because the mercury is considered "hazardous waste." Use gloves and clean it up with something that can be thrown away. Mercury is a liquid metal with properties different from most substances. Hi, I broke the top of my Galileo Liquid Thermometer and the top was broken off. Mercury that cannot be stabilised by sulphur powder or is stored in a jar is a hazardous waste and can only be disposed at a household chemical cleanout. First research on household hazardous waste facilities near your area Alternatively, use two pieces of cardboard paper to roll the mercury beads onto the paper towel or into the bag. - Open the windows and doors to ventilate the room. The requirements for disposing of a broken thermometer can differ by city, Call your local health department or municipal waste facility to ask how to label and dispose of the bag. First, cut out the contaminated pieces of fabric and seal them in a plastic bag. For additional information on health effects, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) provides a Public Health Statement on Mercury that also presents information on health effects related to exposures to vapors from metallic mercury. How to Dispose of Mercury if Thermometer Breaks. Clearly label the bottle "thermometer or mercury". Open a window and allow the room to air out at least 15 minutes. 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. If a mercury-containing thermometer is broken, do not clean up the spilled mercury with a vacuum cleaner. Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Outdated thermometers then not used, and in many the question arises, where to dispose of a mercury thermometer. No. Care must be taken to avoid scattering the mercury or allowing it to roll to a hard-to-reach location. Because of the potential for toxic mercury to be leaked into the air and into the water supply, it’s not safe to simply throw a mercury thermometer into the garbage or flush it down the toilet. Mercury poisoning is a real threat to the planet and all life upon it. Look for the words “mercury-free” printed on the thermometer to determine if it’s toxic. Note: Mercury can move surprising distances on hard-flat surfaces, so be sure to inspect the entire room, including any cracks i… Check if your thermometer actually contains mercury. The preferred method of disposal for unbroken mercury thermometers and the mercury from broken thermometers is to take them to a local household hazardous waste collection facility or thermometer collection site if one is available in your area. Now, if you want to correctly dispose of a mercury thermometer, the best way is to take the thermometer to a household hazardous waste facility. If a mercury-glass thermometer ever breaks, do not touch the mercury -- it is very poisonous. Above 100° C mercury thermometers have an accuracy range of ± 1.5° C, while non-mercury have an accuracy limit of ± 3° C. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Small droplets will combine into a larger sphere shape, which will roll on a flat surface and break back into smaller droplets if dropped or if pressure is applied. The sulfur does two things: Determining Whether Your Non-Digital Fever Thermometer Has Mercury in It, Prepping for Clean Up of a Broken Mercury Thermometer, Items Needed to Clean Up a Small Mercury Spill, specific information about how to clean up broken fluorescent bulbs, What to Do if You Spill More Mercury than the Amount in a Thermometer, health effects related to exposures to vapors from metallic mercury. How to Dispose of Mercury if Thermometer Breaks? Is the liquid in the thermometer any color other than silver? A little bit of the liquid spilled out but we cleaned it up. Note: Powdered sulfur may stain fabrics a dark color. If you do NOT see the words “mercury free," then assume that the liquid is mercury. Fold the paper towel and seal it … Store and recycle them when normal operations resume. Push the mercury into an envelope and put the envelope, scotch tape, gloves and the broken thermometer into a sealable plastic bag. If your spill is greater than the amount in a thermometer, then visit our What to Do if You Spill More Mercury than the Amount in a Thermometer page. Note: Mercury can move surprising distances on hard-flat surfaces, so be sure to inspect the entire room, including any cracks in the floor, when searching. Remember to keep the area well ventilated to the outside (i.e., windows open and fans in exterior windows running) for at least 24 hours after your successful cleanup. Place kitty litter or oil-absorbent matter around the product to protect it from breaking or sudden shocks. United States Environmental Protection Agency. If you spill more than a quarter teaspoon, you should follow the advice on this page and seek help from professional hazardous waste disposal companies to clean up the spill. Symptoms of mercury poisoning. Clearly label storage container as "Mercury - DO NOT OPEN." Alternatively, use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments (Peel the tape very slowly from the floor to keep the mercury beads stuck to the tape.) If there is a paper calibration strip inside of the thermometer that includes the words “mercury free,” then the liquid in the thermometer is not mercury. Make sure all pets are removed from the area. Small businesses may be able to dispose of mercury-containing thermometers and other mercury-containing devices at town or solid waste district collection events. While mercury isn’t recyclable, many of these products are. 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. After you remove larger beads, put shaving cream on top of small paint brush and gently "dot" the affected area to pick up smaller hard-to-see beads. - Don�t dispose the mercury down the sink or the drain Do not worry if you don't have this available. How to Clean up a Small Mercury Spill (a broken thermometer, thermostat or compact fluorescent bulb) . Place all mercury-containing products or containers of mercury inside a larger container with a tight fitting lid. Newer models of thermometers contain alcohol or another liquid substance that simulates mercury. Place the paper towel in a zip locking bag and secure. If it is damaged, it is necessary to dispose of mercury - for this is a special place, where you can drop the broken thermometer without harm to health and the environment. Small beads of mercury or tiny pieces of broken glass can be picked up with sticky tape. When a mercury thermometer breaks, liquid mercury may spill out and can separate into small beads and can roll some distance away. Dispose of mercury thermometer carefully Originally published August 9, 2009 at 12:01 am Joe and Teresa Graedon's People's Pharmacy column answers questions on mercury thermometers… Additionally, users should read and understand product information before use. If you break a mercury thermometer, some liquid mercury may spill out and can separate into small beads, which can roll some distance away. DO NOT allow children to help you clean up the spill. NOTE: These instructions also apply to spills from other sources if the amount spilled is less than or similar to the amount in a thermometer (see specific information about how to clean up broken fluorescent bulbs). Take a flashlight, hold it at a low angle close to the floor in a darkened room and look for additional glistening beads of mercury that may be sticking to the surface or in small cracked areas of the surface. The amount of mercury in a single thermometer is not enough to do any great harm to the environment, but here are some better ways than flushing it which will leave it in your sink or toilet trap. 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 … Use slow sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming uncontrollable. Have everyone else leave the area; don't let anyone walk through the mercury on their way out. - If mercury has been spilled over the cloth, then do not wash them or put them in washing machine, instead dispose of them in a sealed bag. Zip locking plastic bags (4 to 5 as needed), Duct tape or shaving cream, and small paint brush. In the above instructions, you were asked to separate as much of the liquid mercury as possible from the Contact your local health department, municipal waste authority, or your local fire department to find out how to conduct proper disposal in accordance with local, state and federal laws. Newer non-digital fever thermometers often use alcohol or a non-toxic compound that looks similar to mercury. Yet, you must take all precautions to avoid contamination and need to be a lot more careful cleaning up the spilled mercury. If there are any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, pick them up with care. When using powdered sulfur, do not breathe in the powder as it can be moderately toxic. Store the mercury in a secure place, preferably away from occupied areas, and contact a licensed hazardous waste vendor for disposal. Many household products contain mercury, from CFLs to button batteries to some thermometers. It is also a very dangerous heavy metal. If you are unable to recycle due to the current health emergency, please do not dispose of your mercury thermostats in the trash. Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. We hope this guide proved useful in showing you the appropriate steps to follow to dispose of your mercury-containing product. Step 7 . Place the mercury thermometer inside a small disposable plastic or glass container. - Wipe the area with a damp cloth. - Don�t sweep the mercury up with a brush or broom Place all mercury beads and objects into the trash bag. The preferred method of disposal for unbroken mercury thermometers and the mercury from broken thermometers is to take them to a local household hazardous waste collection facility or thermometer collection site if one is available in your area. Use an eyedropper or heavy duty tape to pick up any tiny spheres. Direct shipment as … - Put the card (or plastic bottle) and the mercury beads into the plastic bag. Use the sulphur neutralising process on these as outlined. 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 pick up … Similarly, if mercury gets down over the carpet then the cut the area and put it in a sealed bag. Mercury is highly toxic, and even short-term exposure due to a spillage or cracked thermometer can lead to harmful effects. 2. Place all broken objects on a paper towel. First, clean up … - Try not to create dust, but if there is any dust, avoid breathing it in 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. Bring the Thermometer to a Household Hazardous Waste Facility. 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. 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. Here are few cleaning up tips: Almost everywhere in the world, concerned authorities provide facilities where you can dispose of hazardous waste, such as mercury or garden chemicals, for example, at local tips and recycling centres. Mercury also contain thermometers … Store and recycle them when normal operations resume. If it is damaged, it is necessary to dispose of mercury - for this is a special place, where you can drop the broken thermometer without harm to health and the environment. It makes the mercury easier to see since there may be a color change from yellow to brown; and. Clean liquid mercury from absorbent surfaces. Use a squeegee or cardboard to gather mercury beads into small mercury balls. Drop off locations listed below: Mercury is the 80th element on the periodic table and is useful for all sorts of things: thermometers, lights, batteries, even jewelry. I've just broken an old mercury thermometer. In the above instructions, you were asked to separate as much of the liquid mercury … What NOT to do after a Mercury Spill 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 permanent marker. Put the cloth in the same bag and seal it. Continue to keep pets and children out of cleanup area. Use the eyedropper to collect or draw up the mercury beads. Place the paint brush or duct tape in a zip locking bag and secure. Similarly, if mercury gets down over the carpet then the cut the area and put it in a sealed bag. Use sticky tape to pick up the smaller … Common situations that they are presented with include: • a child has just swallowed part of a fever thermometer; • a thermometer has broken in a body orifice; or • an individual is unsure how to safely dispose of a thermometer. OPTIONAL STEP: It is OPTIONAL to use commercially available powdered sulfur to absorb the beads that are too small to see. Step 7 . How Our Disposal Service Works Our medical services team will arrange a collection from your premises: The mercury is transported in a secure container If it has “mercury-free” printed on it, then you can throw the thermometer away along with your regular trash. Put thermometer in a non-breakable sealed container (e.g. If you are unable to recycle due to the current health emergency, please do not dispose of your mercury thermostats in the trash. You will likely have to utilize your local household hazardous waste (HHW) facility or events to properly dispose of and recycle items containing mercury. You may want to request the services of a contractor who has monitoring equipment to screen for mercury vapors. Mercury can be cleaned up easily from the following surfaces: wood, linoleum, tile and any similarly smooth surfaces. How to Dispose of Mercury if Thermometer Breaks? We maintain more than 3,400 collection locations nationwide that will recycle mercury thermostats at no cost to you. - Stay out till the room is ventilated. If sickness occurs, seek medical attention immediately. View information on health effects related to exposures to vapors from metallic mercury. Leave them open for at least 15 minutes. It was absolutely ancient (it didn't even work anymore - the mercury didn't move, no matter how hot it got) and when it broke it looked like a miniscule amount of mercury came out. It is sometimes found in the gardening departments at hardware stores, near the fertilizer, or with garden pesticides and fungicides. Choose a container that the thermometer will fit into completely and still have extra room. - Don’t sweep the mercury up with a brush or broom - Don’t dispose the mercury down the sink or the drain - If mercury has been spilled over the cloth, then do not wash them or put them in washing machine, instead dispose of them in a sealed bag. Push the mercury into an envelope and put the envelope, scotch tape, gloves and the broken thermometer into a sealable plastic bag. Store the mercury in a secure place, preferably away from occupied areas, and contact a licensed hazardous waste vendor for disposal. plastic bleach bottle). How to Clean up a Small Mercury Spill (a broken thermometer, thermostat or compact fluorescent bulb) . Secure the bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department. The recycling and disposal of electrical waste includes mercury tilt switches, manometers and fluorescent light bulbs. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department. Spilled mercury can be very dangerous if not handled correctly. Pharmacists may also have it.​. We wash ourselves thoroughly, rinse the oral cavity several times with soda solution and take several tablets of activated carbon for disinfection. Use a sheet of paper or cardboard to scoop up glass and metal pieces. Consult your local environmental or health agency to inquire about contractors in your area. Remove children and pets from the room. Clean liquid mercury from absorbent surfaces. - Don�t use a vacuum cleaner Place all materials used with the cleanup, including gloves, in a trash bag. Place all broken objects on a paper towel. Knowing how to dispose of mercury the proper way is essential, whether you operate a business or are cleaning out your home. Ask everyone to step away from the area around the broken thermometer immediately. Use slow sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming uncontrollable. They will tell you where to dispose of. Use a squeegee or cardboard to gather mercury beads into small mercury balls. Put thermometer in a non-breakable sealed container (e.g. The following disposal options are available to commercial/institutional generators of mercury-containing thermometers: 1. It still has liquid inside of it, so I can't just throw it out or dump the liquid. Though, this is considered tiny amount (usually up to 3.0g - less than one-eighth of an ounce) and unlikely to cause problems for your health, yet one should take all precautions to ward off any possible contamination.

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