What to do and how to collect mercury if the thermometer broke

It's unfortunate and unfortunate that we are thinking about how to collect mercury, if the thermometer is broken, we think later than we should. This issue belongs to the most important group, does not tolerate negligence and hysteria, only a clear understanding of what to do and how to be in a difficult situation. We will talk about how to collect mercury if the thermometer broke.

Mercury (Hg)

Mercury (Hg) is nothing but a chemical element of the periodic table. In its essence is a metal, in the usual situation takes a liquid form, and then evaporates. In a solid and liquid state, there is no danger, evaporation is terrible. And it will evaporate immediately, as it leaves the hermetic space. Therefore, mercury in a thermometer is, in principle, not dangerous for us, but as soon as it leaves its limits, it begins to evaporate and poison with poisons.

Signs of poisoning and its consequences

How to recognize mercury poisoning? Complicated. Symptoms of poisoning are similar to many other diseases. Moreover, prolonged intoxication (poisoning) leads to damage to the kidneys, liver, lungs. Harmfully affects the nervous system, skin and digestion. Pregnant women lead to fetal damage. If the thermometer is broken, you must strictly follow all the rules for eliminating and eliminating intoxication. Namely, to collect the spilled mercury and to protect others.

What to do and how to collect mercury

If the thermometer is broken, first of all it is necessary:

1. remove children, pregnant and animals from the premises;

2. Wear shoe covers, rubber gloves and a protective mask (respirator);

3. prepare a tightly closed jar with water, a syringe, a pipette, an adhesive tape, a thick but thin paper;

4. open the windows for ventilation and turn off the artificial air regulation system (air conditioners, split-systems, fans);

5. in bright lighting, collect the glass and mercury balls manually with the help of prepared materials;

6. Do not use brooms, vacuum cleaners, mops and other household utensils (they will have to be thrown away).

Process and cleaning technology

So, how to collect mercury, if the thermometer broke:

1. Using two sheets of paper, carefully collect the glass and mercury balls, transferring them to a jar full of water. Balls are perfectly connected to each other, therefore, rolling small grains to each other, you will have more chances to lift from the floor one large specimen.
2. If mercury has got on the upholstery of a sofa, a carpet or a carpet with a low pile, then you have a chance to collect grains with sticky tape (Scotch tape), and if there is no such possibility (too much pile of carpet), then you must say goodbye to your favorite thing.
3. Seated in the corners of the grains of mercury is easiest to draw with a syringe or tweezers, you can collect with a copper wire, wiped with ammonia.
4. Also, experts recommend the active use of sulfur. It is necessary to sprinkle the mercury balls with it, after which it will become non-volatile and non-toxic. Then put it in the jar.
5. Mercury can be treated with iodine (if you are not afraid to spoil the thing). Having reacted with iodine vapor, it becomes nontoxic.
6. In the end, you need to rinse the floors in the room with a soap-soda solution and ventilate it for 24 hours.
7. All materials used during harvesting should be thrown out, and mercury should be handed to a special detention center, by calling the rescue service (number 112) on the phone in advance, where they will tell you how and when it can be done.