What is mercury and how is it used?

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that exists in a variety of forms. It is found in soil, water, rocks, and living organisms, and it can exist as a gas, a liquid, or a solid. Because it remains liquid at room temperature, mercury is used in many consumer products. Mercury is used in barometers, blood pressure instruments, thermometers, and other pressure-sensing instruments. Batteries containing mercury are used in some small electronic devices. Mercury also has valuable uses in outdoor lighting, motion picture projection, and the making of some medications.

What health problems are associated with exposure to mercury?

Health problems caused by mercury depend on how much has entered your body, how it entered your body, how long you have been exposed to it, and how your body responds to the mercury.

Mercury is harmful to both animals and humans. Children are more susceptible to mercury poisoning than adults. Exposure to even small amounts of mercury over a long period may cause negative health effects including damage to the brain, kidney, lungs, and the developing fetus. Brief contact with high levels of mercury can cause immediate health effects including loss of appetite, fatigue, insomnia, and changes in behavior or personality. Depending on the length or degree of exposure, additional symptoms such as nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, eye irritation, weight loss, skin rashes, and muscle tremors may occur.

When exposure to mercury stops, most symptoms usually go away; however, effects on the brain and nervous system may be permanent. Once mercury has entered the body, it can take months before it is eliminated, mainly through the urine and feces. Levels of mercury can be measured in blood, urine, and scalp hair. These tests may help to predict possible health effects.

How can I be exposed to mercury?

Mercury exposure can occur by breathing vapors, by direct skin contact, or by eating food or drinking water contaminated with mercury. Many people are exposed by breathing vapors, which are readily absorbed by the lungs. Mercury can enter the body through the skin, especially if it contacts a cut or wound. If you swallow mercury, very little is absorbed. Most of the mercury is eliminated through the digestive tract.

What should I do if I am accidentally exposed to mercury?

The amount of mercury from a typical broken thermometer would be considered a small spill. If more mercury than this is spilled, it would be considered a large spill. Some people save mercury from various sources and store the product in containers. This is dangerous because mercury may escape from broken or improperly sealed containers. Individuals may often be exposed without their knowledge.

Persons involved in a large mercury spill should leave the area immediately and contact the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality at 1-800-292-4706. Contact your physician for possible treatment and testing.

The following precautions should be taken if a small mercury spill occurs:

	People not involved in the cleanup should leave the area.
	Minimize tracking by removing shoes and clothing. Assume that the clothes of a child who played with mercury are contaminated. Place clothes in a sealed plastic bag and put them outside in a safe place until household trash can be picked up. Do NOT wash in the washing machine. Plastic can be placed on the floors to minimize tracking.
	Do NOT use a vacuum cleaner to clean up the spill. A vacuum cleaner will spread the mercury vapors and tiny droplets will settle throughout the area, increasing the spread of contamination and the chance of exposure.
	Windows and doors in the area of the spill should be opened to ventilate the area.
	Small amounts of mercury can be collected with adhesive tape or an eye dropper and stored in a sealed plastic container until disposal. Turn off the lights and use a flashlight to look for additional mercury beads.
	If the mercury was spilled over a drain or sink, inspect the traps. If mercury is in the traps, carefully disassemble the plumbing over a container large enough to catch the mercury beads. Clean the traps of all visible mercury using trisodium phosphate detergent solution and rinse with water or replace the traps altogether.
	After all visible mercury has been collected, wash the area with trisodium phosphate detergent solution and rinse with water. Allow the area to ventilate for at least 24 hours before reoccupying.
	Contaminated carpeting should be removed and discarded, starting with the spill room.
	Contaminated materials and mercury collected from small spills may be discarded along with household trash, but should be placed outside in a safe place until the household trash is picked up.

How can I prevent mercury spills?

Mercury-containing products should be replaced with safer alternatives. Mercury thermometers and blood pressure devices are available in electronic form. Mercury-containing items such as fluorescent bulbs and old electronic switches should be recycled instead of thrown into the household trash.