Mercury is naturally found in rocks and soils; it's a liquid metal
with a shiny and silvery appearance. Exposure to mercury in large
doses can be highly toxic to the nervous system and kidneys, with
effects including anxiety and depression, memory problems, possible
tremors and poor coordination.[1] [1] Methylmercury is formed as a
result of bacteria in water converting mercury and methylmercury is
considered to be a critical pollutant which harms both humans and
wildlife.[2] [2]
So, where can mercury be found in the home? Here are some places to
look, along with suggested ways to replace it.
!! Steps !!
* Learn to identify mercury. Mercury (also known as quicksilver) is
an element (symbol Hg) and has an atomic number "80'' on the
Periodic Table of Elements [3]. Since mercury is a "solid" below
-38ºC (above -38ºC it "melts" into a liquid) and boils off into
a "gas" when the temperature rises above 356ºC, in the home it
would be found in a liquid state. It would look like a highly
reflective, silver [4] liquid.
Inspect products in your home that have or are likely to have
mercury inside. The most common items are fluorescent light bulbs
[5], thermometers and electrical switches such as thermostats that
control heating and air conditioning equipment and some float
switches like those used to automatically turn sump pumps on and
off. Some batteries also contain mercury. Some indoor paint and
outdoor paint might contain mercury, as well as some inks.
* If you're not sure whether or not an item contains mercury,
contact the manufacturer and ask for their advice.
* Locate fluorescent lights. A small amount of mercury is also used
in all fluorescent lamps, regardless of whether or not they have
the "green" ends.
* Drugs and cosmetics [6] may contain mercury. Some drugs use
mercury as a preservative; ask your pharmacist for advice and
always dispose of outdated and unwanted medications properly.
* Ask your dentist [7]. In the past, dentists used mercury to make
"silver" dental fillings. The impact of such fillings can include
inhalation of mercury vapor but the impact of amalgams may be
dependent on your personal body burden of toxic chemicals.[3] [8]
There is other dental filling material (such as gold) that can be
used instead, but using it is more costly than than the silver
fillings.
* Check your food sources. Methylmercury in fish is one of
the most toxic forms of mercury[4] [9] and it's easily ingested
through eating contaminated fish [10] or seafood.
Determine the desirability and/or feasibility of replacing devices
that contain mercury or sources of mercury in your home. The need
to replace mercury filled items will depend on their age and their
condition in many cases. You may simply feel happier not having
anything with mercury in the house but keeping in mind the costs
of replacement, it can be more efficient to replace items that are
old, worn, or broken first. Any broken item that contains mercury
should be removed from the home environment (see the following
step for what to do). If you want to remove devices and sources of
mercury in your home, here are some suggested alternatives:
* Thermometers [11] can be changed to a electronic type or to the
type that uses red dyed alcohol.
* Thermostats can be replaced with an electronic or programmable
model.
* Fluorescent lamps could be be changed to incandescent or LED
types. Note that incandescent bulbs have been banned or phased out
in some jurisdictions.
* Float switches would require a completely different type of
actuation or detection and would need the application to be
assessed.
* Dental fillings [12] could be removed and replaced. Speak with
your dentist about the risks and costs involved. Not all dentists
will be happy to perform this procedure, and some people are
concerned that the removal process could be more harmful than
leaving the mercury amalgam fillings in place. Do your own
research first to determine how you feel about this source. Do not
have amalgams removed while pregnant.[5] [13]
* Choose fish with low levels of mercury.
Keep mercury contained. Handling mercury is not difficult while
it is encapsulated in the products listed above. Simple care to
prevent breakage of the container is all that is required.
Mercury that is allowed to escape however, is not easily
retrieved. It will break up into many small droplets and "roll
away" into low areas. Here is what to do if you accidentally
break a container which releases mercury:
* Remove all people and pets from the area apart from the person
cleaning; you can do without the distraction and children and pets
can be easily lured to the balls formed.
* Turn off all sources of heat and ventilate [14] the area as best
you can.
* Remove any jewelry, put on a pair of gloves and start retrieving
the mercury droplets. Try to recover as much as possible by
scooping up the droplets with a stiff piece of paper or an eye
dropper; also, a damp paper towel or wet wipe may be used. If
there are any last droplets, use sticky tape to pick them up.
Place the droplets and the cleaning items in a sealable plastic
bag for proper disposal, double bag it and label it "mercury
waste". Call up your local municipality to find out where to
dispose of the toxic waste; do not simply place it in your usual
garbage.
* *Never* use a vacuum cleaner or broom to clean up the spill.
* If the mercury spill is on carpet, cut out the piece of carpet and
dispose of it as well in a double plastic bag.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* If you work with mercury, follow all precautions to avoid bringing
mercury home on your clothing or in any other way.
* Some hospitals and community centers have thermometer exchange
programs.
!! Warnings !!
* Mercury is _highly toxic_ and exposure to it should be minimized
whenever possible.
* Keep all mercury containing products away from children.
* Do not discard mercury in the trash. Contact city or town refuse
officials to learn how to dispose of mercury properly and safely.
* Do not ingest or directly handle mercury. Minimize exposure of
skin to mercury by wearing rubber gloves.
* Do not inhale excessive amounts of mercury. Excessive amounts of
mercury can harm your body.
* Mercury in your body can be tested through a hair analysis for
methylmercury and a urine test for more chronic exposure.[6] [15]
!! Things You'll Need !!
* Replacement items where relevant
* Cleaning equipment to deal with spills, such as stiff card or eye
dropper, paper towel or rags, disposal bags, marker, and gloves
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Save Yourself from Poisoning [16]
* How to Become a Toxicologist [17]
* How to Recognize the Symptoms of Toxic Poisoning [18]
* How to Dispose of Mercury [19]
* How to Repair a Mercury Thermometer [20]
!! Sources And Citations !!
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
Links:
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[1] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-0
[2] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-1
[3] http://www.wikihow.com/Study-the-Elements-of-the-Periodic-Table
[4] http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Silver
[5] http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-up-Broken-Compact-Fluorescent-Light-Bulbs
[6] http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Natural-Cosmetics
[7] http://www.wikihow.com/Go-to-the-Dentist
[8] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-2
[9] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-3
[10] http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Food-Poisoning
[11] http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Thermometer
[12] http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Affordable-Dental-Treatment
[13] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-4
[14] http://www.wikihow.com/Ventilate-a-Conservatory
[15] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-5
[16] http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Yourself-from-Poisoning
[17] http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Toxicologist
[18] http://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-the-Symptoms-of-Toxic-Poisoning
[19] http://www.wikihow.com/Dispose-of-Mercury
[20] http://www.wikihow.com/Repair-a-Mercury-Thermometer
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