Mercury Clean-Up

 

The element mercury, also known as “quicksilver”, is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. It has been used in flourescent lighting, tanning beds, cosmetics, thermometers, barometers, liquid mirror telescopes, dental fillings, batteries, heirloom clocks, children’s sneakers that light up, vapor lamps, and blood pressure cuffs. Metallic mercury is used to produce chlorine gas and caustic soda.

 

When liquid mercury spills, it breaks into small drops. Any movement causes the mercury to break into even smaller droplets. As the droplets become smaller, the mercury vaporizes and can be easily breathed in. These vapors can cause long-term health problems.

 

Mercury is highly toxic. For example, a portable blood pressure gauge may hold 2-1/2 pounds of mercury. To put this in perspective, one gram of mercury, like that in a thermometer, is enough to contaminate the fish in a 20-acre lake.

It can be inhaled or absorbed by the skin. Young children and pregnant women are the most at risk.

 

Mercury exposure can cause permanent damage to the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include changes to peripheral vision, skin discolouration (pink cheeks, fingertips, and toes), swelling, and skin shedding.

 

Mercury vapors are extremely difficult to remove from clothes, furniture, carpet, floors, walls, and electronics such as computers. Mercury spills can contaminate your home for many months or even years.