![]() ![]() The area of the spill should be ventilated for several days, if possible. Any clothes or rags that might have gotten mercury on them should also be discarded -not washed in a washing machine as this may further spread the mercury. Then the mercury should be sealed in three layers of plastic bags and disposed of according to local hazardous waste procedures. Spilled mercury should be sucked up with an eyedropper, scooped up with paper, or picked up with sticky tape. It should not be swept up with a broom or vacuumed, because this can break the mercury into small particles and spread it. But if elemental mercury is spilled in the home, from a broken thermometer or fluorescent light, for example, it must be correctly and carefully cleaned up. Elemental mercury is not easily absorbed by the skin, so touching elemental mercury is usually not enough to cause poisoning. Elemental mercury usually passes right through the body if swallowed, so this is usually not poisonous to a person with a healthy digestive system. Most small household spills of elemental mercury are not dangerous if cleaned up sensibly. ![]() Inhalation of mercury vapor might happen in a factory where mercury is used. This is an emergency that necessitates an immediate hospital visit. The danger lies in the fact that after it is inhaled into the lungs in vapor form, mercury passes into the blood stream. This is because poisoning from elemental mercury is most likely due to inhalation of mercury vapors. If not, the home, workplace, and other people may be contaminated. It is extremely important, therefore, that any mercury spill, even a small one, be properly cleaned up. While these "small" mercury exposures can appear to be free of detectable health consequences, even a small spill can have serious effects, including hospitalization and even death, if improperly cleaned up, if there is poor ventilation, or the mercury is exposed to heat. Many people do not take the risk of mercury poisoning seriously because they have played with elemental or liquid mercury or broken thermometers containing mercury without ill health effects. Exposure to mercuric salts over the long term can cause kidney and nerve damage. Mercuric salts are used in various folk medicines, particularly in some Chinese herbal preparations and in some Mexican remedies. Inorganic mercury takes the form of various compounds known as mercuric salts. Pregnant women and women who may become pregnant need to be aware of the dangers of mercury exposure through eating fish. Methyl mercury is particularly dangerous for the developing fetus, babies, and young children. Unfortunately, methyl or organic mercury accumulates in fish and many have such high levels that they become unsafe to eat. Also, bacteria can change mercury-two into one of mercury's most toxic organic compounds, methyl mercury, which is easily soluble (capable of being dissolved) in water and thus finds its way into the food chain, where it poisons fish and other animals. First, unlike elemental mercury, it readily dissolves in water and combines with other ions to form new compounds. There are two dangerous aspects to this form. This happens most likely in an industrial setting.Įlemental mercury can be converted by bacteria into a charged ion (an electrically charged atom or group of atoms) known as mercury-two. The most toxic effect of elemental mercury is when its extremely dangerous vapor is inhaled. In its solid state, elemental mercury is less toxic than some of its other forms, but is still very volatile. Today, the publication states, it is present in seed fungicides, anti-slime fungicides used by the pulp and paper industries, by-products of burning coal, mining tailings (residue), and wastes from chlorine-alkali industries. In the past, according to a State of Michigan publication titled Mercury Poisoning, it was used as the active ingredient in ointments, animal worming medicines, antiseptics, disinfectants, diuretics and fungicides. It is also found in fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats, some pesticides, switches, preservatives, some paints, and in some dental amalgam fillings -although there are often mercury-free options available. ![]() It is frequently found in the home in glass thermometers. Elemental mercury is also referred to as mercury-zero. ![]() There are three forms of mercury circulating throughout the environment, and all three forms are toxic to humans and many other living organisms in varying degrees.Įlemental mercury, also known as quicksilver, is mercury in its metallic (solid), elemental form. Mercury, which has the chemical symbol of Hg, is one of a few elements that are liquid at room temperature and because it easily converts to gas form, it is extremely volatile. Mercury poisoning occurs when a person has ingested, inhaled, or had skin or eye contact with the toxic (poisonous) heavy metal mercury and suffers damage to his/her nervous system and other systems of the body. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |