What to do if the mercury thermometer is broken. Izvestia's instructions

Despite the widespread use of electronic and infrared thermometers, many Russians continue to use mercury thermometers due to their high measurement accuracy. However, such devices require special care in handling, as they contain a substance that is dangerous to health. Izvestia tells us what to do if a mercury thermometer breaks.

What is the danger of mercury for humans?

Mercury is a liquid metal that begins to actively evaporate already at a temperature of 18 ° C. The main danger to health is precisely the toxic vapors of this metal. Entering the body through the respiratory tract, mercury is evenly distributed throughout the internal organs and is very slowly excreted. The highest concentration of the substance is observed in the lungs, after which the toxin accumulates in the blood, liver, kidneys and brain.

A standard medical thermometer contains about 1 g of mercury. Serious poisoning can occur with the evaporation of 5 g of the substance, but even smaller doses can cause harm to health with prolonged exposure.

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Signs of mercury vapor intoxication can manifest themselves in different ways, depending on the concentration of the substance and the individual characteristics of the body. The most common symptoms are general malaise and apathy, loss of appetite and digestive disorders.

Symptoms of mercury vapor poisoning:

• metallic taste in the mouth;
• visual impairment;
• the appearance of hallucinations;
• rapid heartbeat;
• trembling in the limbs;
• headaches.

With constant inhalation of mercury vapor, chronic poisoning develops, which provokes diseases of vital organs. The respiratory system, liver, kidneys, and central nervous system are most at risk.

Certain categories of people are particularly vulnerable to the effects of mercury vapor. Even a small concentration of the toxin can cause them serious health problems. The high-risk group includes:

• younger children;
• elderly people;
• pregnant women;
• people with chronic diseases.

What to do if the thermometer is broken

One broken thermometer does not cause instant poisoning, but mercury still requires proper cleaning. If the room is not cleaned, chronic intoxication can develop after several weeks or months of constant exposure.

If the mercury thermometer is damaged, it is important to act quickly and without panic. First of all, you need to get all people and animals out of the room, and then close the doors tightly. You can open the window to ventilate, but do not create a draft — it will spread mercury vapor throughout the apartment. It is strictly forbidden:

• walking around a mercury spill site;
• Use a fan or air conditioner;
• sweep the mercury with a broom or brush;
• collect the substance with a vacuum cleaner.

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How to collect mercury if the thermometer is broken

Before cleaning, it is necessary to ensure the protection of the skin and respiratory organs. This will prevent direct contact with the toxic substance and reduce the risk of poisoning. It is recommended to "arm yourself" with rubber gloves, put shoe covers or plastic bags on your feet, and cover your nose and mouth with a cotton-gauze bandage soaked in water.

Various improvised means can be used to effectively remove mercury from surfaces.:

• medical syringe without needle;
• the rubber bulb;
• wet paper or newspaper;
• sticky tape (scotch tape);
• wet cotton wool;
• plasticine.

The mercury harvesting process requires a methodical approach and care. It is better to divide the tasks:

• large balls can be rolled up to each other using a piece of paper.;
• small drops should be collected with the sticky side of the tape.;
• mercury can be removed from the cracks using a brush, after sprinkling the surface with sand.;
• soiled fabrics should be put in a bag and taken out to the balcony for subsequent ventilation.

Special attention should be paid to hard-to-reach places. It is necessary to check the gaps between the floor and the skirting boards, as well as cracks in the wooden coverings. The collected mercury together with the used materials can be placed in a glass jar with a tight lid. After cleaning, you need to thoroughly wash the spill site with soda solution or potassium permanganate.

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After collecting visible mercury, additional measures must be taken to ensure the complete safety of the room. These steps will help eliminate residual fumes.:

• ventilate the room intensively for 2-3 days.;
• monitor the well-being of all residents;
• If you experience symptoms of poisoning, consult a doctor.;
• If in doubt, measure the concentration of mercury vapor.

In some situations, self-cleaning of mercury may not be effective or safe enough. The Ministry of Emergency Situations needs help if:

• mercury got on the heating devices;
• the substance entered the ventilation system;
• the balls rolled under the floor or into other hard-to-reach places;
• There are people at risk in the house.

What to do with mercury from a broken thermometer

The collected mercury must be transferred to the demercurization center to prevent further contamination. The address of such organizations can be found on the Internet. It is forbidden to throw mercury into the garbage chute, pour it into sewers or reservoirs, or bury it — this can cause serious harm to the environment.

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