MERCURY SPILL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES
Mercury can be found in nearly every laboratory, mostly in thermometers and barometers. Some locations at SMH still use mercury thermometers. EH&S recommends that mercury thermometers be replaces with mercury-free units whenever possible. For locations that still use mercury containing devices, the following guidelines have been established to prevent mercury exposures to personnel and prevent the release of mercury into the environment.
Occupational exposure to mercury is most likely through inhalation of mercury vapors. Health effects from mercury exposures can include kidney damage and central nervous system disorders. The small quantity of mercury in a thermometer does not present a health hazard to personnel if immediate action is taken when a thermometer is broken. The concentration of mercury vapors generated immediately after a spill is very low. However, the use of personal protective equipment is still needed to prevent dermal exposure.
Broken Thermometers
Only a small quantity of mercury can be found in a standard thermometer. When a thermometer breaks, some or all of the mercury may be released. Using a 3" x 5" index card, push the mercury into a pile. Make sure peripheral areas are checked for mercury. If any is found, push the mercury into the pile. Using two 3" x 5" cards, gather the mercury droplets onto one of the cards and transfer the mercury into a small plastic bottle. A special mercury sponge can also be used to absorb the mercury. For those droplets that can not be picked up using either of these methods, use one of the following actions:
- Use a syringe (no needle) to suck up the mercury
- Use "scotch" tape and press the tape onto the mercury. By carefully lifting the tape, mercury will remain on the tape.
- Use a pasteur pipet attached to a filter flask containing some water connected to suction (water aspirator or vacuum source).
For each of the listed steps, place the collected mercury into a sealable non-metallic container. Place any part of the thermometer that still contains mercury into the container. Fill out a hazardous waste tag and call the Hazardous Waste Management Unit (x5-2056) for a pick-up.
Go over the area a second time to ensure that all the mercury has been removed.
After a mercury spill is cleaned up, a flashlight can be used to check for any beads of mercury that may remain. Turn off the room lights and shine a flashlight at the spill area. Any mercury that still is present will be visible when the light shines on the mercury at a glancing angle.
Barometers and Manometers
SMH has removed and replaced blood pressure manometers with mercury-free units. However, some locations at the University still use barometers containing mercury. These devices contain a large quantity of mercury. A trained responder must be called for clean up should a mercury spill occur from one of these devices. To reduce the possibility of airborne exposures or tracking the mercury into other areas, personnel should not be permitted to enter the area. Cleanup of these spills requires a special mercury vacuum. It is important to clean up the spill as soon as possible.
Should a mercury spill occur that is beyond the control of the user (such as a barometer) to clean up, the following action is to be taken:
- If in the Medical Center, use the red "Emergency 13 Flip Chart" Chemical/Biological/Radiological
Spill Protocol and follow the procedure listed for a major spill (leave the immediate area, contact
Security at ext. 13, and be available for emergency responders).
- If on River Campus, use the blue "Emergency 13 Flip Chart" Chemical/Biological/Radiological Spill Protocol and follow the procedure listed for a major spill (leave the immediate area, contact Security at ext. 13, and be available for emergency responders).
- For the rest of the University, personnel are to leave the immediate area, contact Security at ext. 13, and be available for emergency responders.
The Industrial Hygiene Unit (ext. 5-3241) will be notified of the spill. The responders will use a mercury vacuum and a mercury sniffer to verify all the mercury was removed.
Special Circumstances
Occasionally, mercury is spilled onto carpeting. The only remedy for these spills is to remove the carpeting and dispose of it as hazardous waste.
QUESTIONS? Contact EH&S Industrial Hygiene at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail EH&S Questions.
This page last updated 11/12/2002. Disclaimer
