We recently had questions regarding cleaning up a mercury spill from a thermometer. The following instructions from OSHA and the EPA should help you if you have this occur in your practice.
Small Mercury Spill Clean-up Kit
- 4-5 ziplock-type bags
- trash bags (2 to 6 mils thick)
- rubber, nitrile, or latex gloves
- paper towels
- cardboard or squeegee
- eyedropper
- duct tape, or shaving cream and a small paintbrush
- flashlight
- powdered sulfur (optional) small
Mercury Spill Cleanup Instructions
- Put on rubber, nitrile, or latex gloves.
- If there are any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, pick them up with care. Place all broken objects on a paper towel. Fold the paper towel and place it in a zip lock bag. Secure the bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.
- Locate visible mercury beads. Use a squeegee or cardboard to gather mercury beads. Use slow sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming uncontrollable. 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. Note: Mercury can move surprising distances on hard-flat surfaces, so be sure to inspect the entire room when "searching."
- Use the eyedropper to collect or draw up the mercury beads. Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Place the paper towel in a zip lock bag and secure it. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.
- After you remove larger beads, put shaving cream on top of a small paintbrush and gently "dot" the affected area to pick up smaller hard-to-see beads. Alternatively, use duct tape to collect smaller hard-to-see beads. Place the paintbrush or duct tape in a zip lock bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.
- OPTIONAL STEP: It is optional to use commercially available powdered sulfur to absorb the beads that are too small to see. The sulfur does two things: (1) it makes the mercury easier to see since there may be a color change from yellow to brown and (2) it binds the mercury so that it can be easily removed and suppresses the vapor of any missing mercury. Where to get commercialized sulfur? It may be supplied as mercury vapor absorbent in mercury spill kits, which can be purchased from laboratory, chemical supply, and hazardous materials response supply manufacturers. Note: Powdered sulfur may stain fabrics a dark color. When using powdered sulfur, do not breathe in the powder as it can be moderately toxic. Additionally, users should read and understand product information before use.
- If you choose not to use this option, you may want to request the services of a contractor who has monitoring equipment to screen for mercury vapors. Consult your local environmental or health agency to inquire about contractors in your area. Place all materials used with the cleanup, including gloves, in a trash bag. Place all mercury beads and objects into the trash bag. Secure trash bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.
- Contact your local health department, municipal waste authority, or your local fire department for proper disposal in accordance with local, state, and federal laws.
- 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. Continue to keep pets and children out of the cleanup area. If sickness occurs, seek medical attention immediately.
Recommendation: If there are young children or pregnant women in the house, seek additional advice from your local or state health or state environmental agency.