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Long Island Regional Poison & Drug Information Center
At
Winthrop-University Hospital
How It Is Used:Mercury is a common substance found in our homes and places of work. It is a raw material, named for the planet and comes in three forms:
Elemental (metallic, Quicksilver): used in thermometers, sphygmomanometers, barometers, button batteries, button disc batteries, dental amalgam, paints, electrical equipment, gold mining and ore extractions
Inorganic mercury: was used as a teething powder. Calomel (mercurous chloride in past), laxative, and ammoniated mercury ointments (Crem de Belleza: Mexico), disinfectants, red mercuric chloride pigments (vermillion, cinnabar). Mercuric fulminate is an explosive. It is still available as stool specimen preservatives.
Organic mercury: used in pesticides and fungicides, by embalmers, as wood preservatives, as antiseptics such as thimerosal (Merthiolate) and merbromin (Mercurochrome). Also found in certain vaccines as a preservative, traditional Asian medicines and in the food chain from industrial runoff.
Harmful Effects: If you believe you were exposed to mercury and you suffer from any of these symptoms, the Poison Control Center can consult with your physician or healthcare provider.
Elemental: inhalation
causes irritation of the eyes & skin, coughing, weakness, fever, and upset stomach.
Can lead to brain and nerve damage and death.
Inorganic: have similar effects as elemental exposure. Can also cause kidney damage and Acrodynia ("pink disease") primarily seen in infants and young children. Symptoms include profuse sweating, skin rash, painful, pink/red palms or soles, poor muscle tone, fever and irregular heart rhythms.
Organic: skin irritation and burns. Can cause brain & nerve damage as well as confusion, delirium, memory loss, slurred speech, hallucinations, coma and death.
Spill Management: Call the Poison Control Center Immediately!!! 516-663-2650
When mercury is spilled, droplets form that can accumulate in the tiniest spaces in small pools. These pools then emit vapors into the air. The vapor is odorless, colorless and toxic. Families have been poisoned from mercury spills in the home. Children and pets are at high risk. A small amount of mercury such as in a fever thermometer or a florescent bulb is not likely to cause a problem, but should be cleaned up.
Clean-up Supplies:
Gloves, trash bags, towels (paper preferred), tape cardboard, dustpan, containers, eyedropper, and flashlight. All will have to be discarded if contaminated with mercury.
Do Not Use When Cleaning Up A Mercury Spill:
1. An ordinary vacuum cleaner (will put mercury vapor into the air, contaminate the vacuum cleaner and have to be discarded.
2. A broom (will break mercury into smaller droplets and spread them, pour mercury down a drain (will lodge in plumbing and cause future problems with plumbing repairs, cause pollution of septic tank or sewage treatment plant).
3. Wash mercury contaminated clothing or other items in a washing machine. Mercury can contaminate machine and sewage.
4. Walk around in shoes contaminated with mercury.
Tips On Preventing Mercury Poisoning from Spills: Call the Poison Control Center before you begin clean-up.
Isolate the spill and ventilate. Keep people and pets away from spill. Close door between spill and rest of the house. Minimize vaporization by turning down heaters, turn up air conditioners, turn off fans in area of spills unless they vent air to the outside.
Stand still and have someone bring a plastic bag if mercury is on clothes, shoes or skin. Have someone bring a plastic trash bag and wet towels. Wipe off visible mercury beads with wet towels and put in trash bag. Remove shoes and clothing and place in labeled trash bag. Seal bag with tape and discard in regular household trash. Shower well and clean under fingernails.
Change into old clothes and shoes to clean up spill that can be discarded. Remove all jewelry because mercury can combine with metal in it. Put on gloves, preferably rubber ones. In general mercury from a small spill can be discarded in a plastic bag after proper binding.
Specific Procedures for Mercury Clean-up are given by the Poison Control Center based on the amount and circumstances for exposure.
If a large spill occurs, such as a blood pressure machine or anything greater than 1 ounce, the Poison Control Center can recommend professionals that perform hazardous material cleanup. If large mercury spill occurs, specialized tests such as air content and body levels can be conducted. The Poison Control Center can consult with your physician or healthcare provider to determine if these tests are necessary.
