- EVACUATE THE SPILL AREA: Before
people leave, be sure that their shoes, clothing, and other articles
have not been splashed with mercury. Secure the scene (use barrier
tape if necessary) and restrict admission to only those persons
necessary to clean up the spill.LOWER the TEMPERATURE by turning
down the thermostat. The cooler the temperature, the less mercury
vapors that will be released into the air. [For example, a temperature
increase from 64.4°F to 78.8°F will double mercury’s
vapor pressure.] Remember that mercury vapors are odorless and colorless. TURN OFF VENTILATING OR AIR CONDITIONING
SYSTEMS that could circulate air from the spill area to
other parts of the building.
CLOSE INTERIOR DOORS
leading to other inside areas and open exterior doors and windows.
CAUTION:
Mercury vapors are readily absorbed through the lungs into the
bloodstream and are, therefore, particularly hazardous. In extreme
situations, even very small amounts of metallic mercury (several
drops) may raise air concentrations to levels that may be harmful
to human health. Mercury vapors are also heavier than air and
may linger in higher concentrations close to the floor.
DETERMINE IF THE SPILL MUST BE REPORTED
under federal, state, or local reporting requirements. NOTE: It
is recommended that any mercury spill equal to or greater than 1
pound (more than two tablespoons) impacting the environment, i.e.,
groundwater and surface water, or that threatens public health,
be reported immediately.CONTAIN THE SPILL: Surround or
block off the mercury to keep it from spreading onto sloped or porous
surfaces. Divert all mercury away from floor drains, cracks, or
crevices that may impact groundwater, surface water, and soils.VENTILATE THE ROOM to the outdoors.
(Use fans to force air circulation for a minimum of one hour after
clean up). In an office building, increase the air exchange rate
for one day. The danger of mercury exposure is greatest in small,
confined, poorly ventilated areas. Avoid breathing any dust, vapors,
mist, or gas. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing.
NEVER USE A HOUSEHOLD VACUUM
CLEANER OR SHOP VAC TO CLEAN UP MERCURY! (THESE DEVICES ARE NOT
ADEQUATELY FILTERED AND WILL SPREAD MERCURY VAPORS.)
Special mercury vacuums are commercially available for larger spills
but require advanced training to operate properly. When necessary,
they may be obtained by contacting local universities or environmental
health departments or provided for a fee by professional spill remediation
contractors.ASSEMBLE CLEAN UP SUPPLIES or
obtain a mercury spill kit. Mercury spill kits are commercially
available and convenient, but not absolutely necessary to clean
up a small mercury spill.
| The
following are some common household articles that could be
used to construct an in-home mercury cleanup kit: |
o
eye dropper
o goggles
o paper towel
o plastic container with lid
o plastic sheeting
o powdered zinc *2
o rubber squeegee
o tape; wide, duct, or masking
o tray or box
|
o
flashlight
o napkins
o plastic bags with zipper seal
o plastic dust pan
o powdered sulfur *1
o rubber gloves
o syringe without needle
o trash bags
o wide mouth container |
*1-
visualizes mercury by turning from yellow to brown and forms
mercuric sulfide. Dusting the area with this powder also reduces
mercury vapors.
*2- amalgamates (bonds with) mercury.
Note: Used items are to be double-bagged and disposed
of in accordance with state and local requirements. |
DRESS APPROPRIATELY: Remove all
jewelry from hands and wrists so the mercury does not combine (amalgamate)
with the precious metals. Change into old clothes and shoes that
can be safely discarded should they happen to become contaminated.
Put on rubber gloves and goggles or safety glasses.
NEVER USE A BROOM ON A MERCURY SPILL
BECAUSE IT WILL ONLY SCATTER THE MERCURY DROPLETS, MAKING THEM HARDER
TO FIND AND PICK UP.
PICK UP ALL VISIBLE MERCURY DROPLETS:
Inspect the spill zone with a bright light to help illuminate any
hidden droplets. Clean up any metallic beads of mercury by using
a plastic squeegee or index card and plastic dust pan. With the
index or plastic card, sweep the mercury toward the center of the
spilled area away from any carpet, fabric, or porous surfaces. Carefully
combine and consolidate the mercury droplets. Next, slide droplets
onto a sheet of rigid paper like an index card.NEXT, GENTLY TRANSFER MERCURY INTO AN
UNBREAKABLE PLASTIC CONTAINER like a 35mm film canister
with a locking or air tight lid (avoid using glass). If necessary,
suction off the droplets using an eye dropper or syringe. Adhesive
tape strips may also be used to clean up any tiny remaining mercury
droplets. Place the plastic container inside a second plastic container
to provide additional containment protection. Tighten each lid securely
so that liquid and vapors will be contained.PLACE THE MERCURY WASTE CONTAINER(S) INTO
A ZIP-TOP PLASTIC BAG: This should ensure that in the event
of any leakage, all mercury will be safely contained within the
packaging. Label the package “Elemental Mercury Waste, [Hazardous],”
and store in a secure place. Contact your local environmental or
health department to obtain a list of disposal locations.
NEVER POUR LIQUID MERCURY OR
MERCURY COMPOUNDS DOWN THE DRAIN. SINCE MERCURY IS HEAVIER THAN
WATER, IT WILL ACCUMULATE IN THE S-TRAP OF YOUR DRAIN AND MAY CONTINUE
TO EMIT HARMFUL VAPORS.
REMOVE and DISPOSE OF CONTAMINATED CARPETING
or other articles that have directly contacted mercury. It may be
necessary to remove contaminated carpet from the room where the
spill incident occurred. Double or triple wrap these remnants in
plastic trash bags and contact your local waste department for proper
disposal. (Do NOT expose to heat or incinerate.)
Special precautions should be taken if mercury was spilled
in a high traffic area or a confined area where children or infants
play. Young children playing on the floor are particularly at risk
to mercury’s effects on the central nervous system. If this
sounds like your situation, discuss the incident with your family
doctor to determine whether additional mercury testing should be
conducted for your family. In extreme instances, additional measures
may be recommended.SPRINKLE FINE POWDER SULFUR OR ZINC ON
THE SPILL SITE to bind any remaining mercury. This may
be supplied in mercury spill kits as mercury vapor absorbent or
purchased separately from garden supply stores or chemical supply
houses. Apply over hard to reach areas such as cracks and crevices
to minimize the release of mercury vapors. In instances where furniture
has been exposed to mercury, wash fabric thoroughly and allow all
items to air out completely. Mercury may lodge in porous areas like
carpet backing or cracks and crevices.CHECK CAREFULLY FOR MISSED MERCURY: To
aid in detection, a high intensity lamp may be used to better illuminate
the spill area. The presence of scattered mercury droplets may also
be detected by a sodium sulfide solution, which can be obtained
from most chemical supply houses. This solution may also be sprayed
on an affected person (but NOT the eyes, mucous membranes, or the
mouth). Any mercury present will show up as dark, reddish brown
stains. Residual mercury may then be uplifted using a variety of
techniques including vinegar wash followed by hydrogen peroxide.
To combat any hydrogen sulfide odors generated from mixing the two
chemicals, an alternate method would be to wipe the area with a
vinegar-soaked swab, followed by a peroxide wipe.SET ASIDE EVERYTHING YOU THINK MIGHT BE
CONTAMINATED WITH MERCURY: Package materials securely and
label as “Elemental Mercury: Hazardous Waste.” Specific
labeling and disposal requirements may differ depending on whether
the spill occurred at a household or at a ‘regulated business.
Then contact your local environmental or health department to obtain
a list of possible disposal locations.
NEVER PLACE
HEAVILY MERCURY-LADEN FABRICS IN A WASHING MACHINE.
DO NOT PLACE MERCURY-CONTAMINATED SUBSTANCES
IN THE TRASH unless otherwise instructed to do so by proper
authorities. This is especially important if your trash goes to
an incinerator (municipal waste combustor). Contact the your local
county environmental or health department, or household hazardous
waste collection program for proper disposal suggestions.MONITOR SPILL ZONE FOR MERCURY VAPORS:
Even if the impacted area appears clean, there may still be hidden
residual quantities of mercury present that emit vapors. For larger-sized
spills, it may be necessary to monitor (test) mercury vapor levels
in the immediate area. If mercury is detected, re-clean the impacted
area using previously mentioned procedures and repeat testing until
levels fall to within safe parameters. (Use the Agency for Toxic
Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 'guideline' of =1 microgram
per cubic meter as the acceptable level for most residential occupancy,
provided no visible metallic mercury is present (Method of Analysis
(NIOSH 6009 or equivalent). NIOSCH testing is not usually necessary
for spills as small as a broken fever thermometer.)For larger spills
in sensitive areas (bedrooms or poorly ventilated, confined areas),
a direct reading mercury vapor meter may be used to detect the presence
of mercury. In extreme (human exposure) situations, mercury monitoring
(testing) of blood plasma or urine might also be deemed necessary.
Consult your doctor, local county environmental health department
for further guidance and assistance. WASH HUMANS AND ANIMALS EXPOSED TO MERCURY
using an alkaline soap (i.e., Lava soap) and a paste of
water and flowers of sulfur. Flowers of sulfur can be found in most
garden supply shops and will turn the mercury into an insoluble
sulfide. Afterwards, the remaining residue should be thoroughly
rinsed. All wash water containing mercury should be collected and
kept out of the sanitary sewer system.CONTINUE VENTILATION to completely
air out the room or spill zone with outside air for a minimum of
two days, preferably longer.REPLACE BROKEN DEVICE WITH A ‘MERCURY-FREE’ALTERNATIVE
- INVENTORY ALL REMAINING MERCURY-CONTAINING
DEVICES AND REPLACE THEM WITH MERCURY FREE ALTERNATIVES: The
best way to address a mercury spill is to prevent it from ever happening
in the first place.
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