mercury contamination?

The rock
By The rock

How dangerous is mercury from a thermometer.
Specifically i would like to ask, if a child breaks a thermometer to take out the mercury in a dish, what shold be done after that
Should the dish be thrown away?
If it touched the floor or any other surface, any tips on how to clean (de-contaminate) it?
If it touched the fingers, what to do about it?

A google search reveals a little too much information so specific answers would be extremely helpful.

thanks

By Thalia Miranda• 26 Oct 2010 01:23
Rating: 4/5
Thalia Miranda

I played mercury from thermometer also when I was a child but as what the Doctor have told you that there are certain amount that tells that it is dangerous.Blessing in disguised that you and I did not swallow it...

By The rock• 23 Oct 2010 23:29
The rock

Nessa, the links are extremely useful.

Many thanks

By The rock• 23 Oct 2010 22:46
Rating: 5/5
The rock

ooops, truncated comment.

So for the sake of sharing information with others, i read atleast one online news item about a Nevada school which had to be decontaminated after a pupil brought a quarter cup of mercury to school for playing. The authorities went as far as visiting each students house to decontaminate and the entire thing cost them a 100 million dollars. Now i understand quarter cup is much more than what a thermometer contains but still, mercury in any amount outta be a serious issue. Interesting response i got from the doctor at Hammad, he remembered playing with mercury himself as a child and wondered if i could remember something like that from my childhood! and he simply laughed it off... Lolz what can one say! MRST, maybe you know this doc hehe

By The rock• 23 Oct 2010 22:38
The rock

Hey everyone, thanks for sharing your thoughts and suggestions.

MRST.. obviously, i had gone to Hammad immidiately. The replies here started coming in much later than i had returned from there. Which planet at you from that would assume otherwise ?? huh!

Anyways, i know there are many mature people here who do not hesitate to share their own experiences for the benefit of others.

Now for the sake of sharing this information with everyone, i had found one news item on the net where a Nevada school had to be decontaminated after a pupil had brought a quarter cup of mercury to play. I understand quarter cup is quite a lot more than what a thermometer contains. Anyways, interesting response i got at Hammad. The doctor laughed it off saying that as a child he had played with mercury from a thermometer too and he asked me if i hadn't Lolz... MRST maybe you know the doc? hehe

By nessa134• 22 Oct 2010 11:03
nessa134

http://www.newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/smallspills.pdf

http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/chemicals/hsees/mercury/cleaning_up_a_small_mercury_spill.htm

By nessa134• 22 Oct 2010 10:54
nessa134

You will find this web site useful. I did and I am a Workplace H&S trainer.

http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/mercuryspills.htm

However, do see the doctor as well.

Good luck!

By anonymous• 22 Oct 2010 10:41
anonymous

to be sure go to hamad,they can advise you and have the specialists. here you get amateur answers. and you put your kid and family at risk.

sill asking in a forum and waiting for an answer while potentially family is a risk...

what planet are you from?

By anonymous• 22 Oct 2010 09:59
Rating: 3/5
anonymous

Clean up all the surfaces using wet towels and throw away the towels in a sealed plastic trash bag.

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