Mercury: Is It More Than A Planet In Our Solar System!
(Article #10)

Awareness of Mercury's Vapors

Two recent incidents have brought to light the importance of respecting mercury in the science laboratory. One was a safety incident, which recently transpired in a Connecticut high school. Two students duped a custodian into unlocking a door to a science laboratory so they could get a “forgotten textbook that was needed for homework.” The custodian, thinking he was doing a good deed, allowed the students to enter. While one student kept the custodian entertained, the other quickly secured a bottle of mercury in the teacher's desk drawer. A few days later, the students were rushed to the hospital with mercury poisoning. A second incident involved a Department of Public Health and Department of Environmental Protection issuing a joint press release relative to the risks of exposure to mercury. (State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Press Release, 04 May 1999)

Mercury filled thermometers which when broken, expose occupants to mercury vapors. Students and employees are also often exposed to mercury vapors resulting from chemical reactions in laboratory experiments or observing the properties of the metal in a classroom demonstration. Inhaled vapors can affect functions of the nervous system, in addition to kidneys, skin and lungs.

What If There Is a Spill?

If you should have a mercury spill in the science laboratory or classroom, here are a few things you will need to do:

Evacuate occupants from the room. This will reduce exposure to vapors.

Be cautious about tracking the chemical to other parts of the building.

Commercial mercury spill kits can be used to pick up small spills.

For larger spills, contact the Department of Environmental Protection or a commercial environmental cleanup company.

Vacuuming the spill with a regular vacuum cleaner only exacerbates the situation by causing the vapors to dissipate in the air. Wait at least 2-3 days after the spill and clean up before attempting to vacuum with a regular vacuum cleaner.

In unidirectional air handling equipment, turn on the ventilation to help evacuate the vapor molecules from the facility. In air handling units which recycle air, dampers need to be adjusted to provide for exhausting of the area.

These cleaning recommendations are for hard surfaces such as tile or linoleum. Carpets or other porous surfaces should be discarded if at all possible.

Use a stiff material such as plastic or cardboard to pick up all pieces of glass and beads of mercury. An eyedropper can be used to suck up the beads. Zip lock bags can be used to collect the glass/mercury, etc and disposed of in the regular trash.

If you have a floor with cracks or seams, you may wish to consider having an air quality test done to determine in mercury are at unacceptable levels.

Considering Alternatives:

One method of avoiding these types of problems is to consider alternatives to using mercury in the laboratory. For example, use non-mercury type thermometers for laboratory experiments or CBL temperature probes. Limit student access to mercury by only have a display container which is kept in a secured area under lock and key. If use of mercury is required, make sure proper storage is used (avoid contact with or storage near acetylene, fulminic acid or ammonia). Also, storage must be in a secured area, as are all hazardous chemicals.

Final Thoughts!

For further assistance or help in cleaning up a mercury spill, consider contacting one or more of the following agencies: Local fire department, public health department, poison control center, state environmental protection agency or state department of public health. Also remember that non-certified employees such as paraprofessionals and custodians who work in the science laboratory area also need special training in dealing with hazardous chemicals as part of their job.

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER WITH SAFETY!

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Dr. Ken Roy
K-12 Director of Science & Safety & authorized OSHA instructor
c/o Glastonbury Public Schools
Glastonbury, CT 06033-3099
Fax 860-652-7275
E-Mail: royk@glastonburyus.org