Is a mercury thermometer a hazardous chemical?

General: Fatal if inhaled. May damage fertility or the unborn child. Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. Inhalation: Inhalation of mercury vapor can cause hadache, malaise, anorexia, bronchial infection, pneumonia, blood in the urine, Proteinuria, and diarrhea.

Is mercury in a thermometer an element or compound?

Mercury, also called quicksilver, is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Hg and atomic number 80.

What do you do with a broken mercury thermometer?

Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Alternatively, use two pieces of cardboard paper to roll the mercury beads onto the paper towel or into the bag. Place the paper towel in a zip locking bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.

Why is mercury red in a thermometer?

Mercury is a silver-white to gray substance. If your thermometer is filled with a red liquid, your thermometer contains red dyed alcohol or mineral spirits and not mercury. These are safer alternatives to mercury fever thermometers. Are there any special precautions I need to take when bringing in the thermometer?

What kind of mercury is in thermometers?

Of all the forms of mercury, elemental mercury is the most commonly swallowed form of mercury, usually from a broken thermometer. Fortunately, elemental mercury from a thermometer is not absorbed from the stomach and will not cause any poisoning in a healthy person.

Can you touch mercury from a thermometer?

MERCURY EXPOSURE If it is swallowed, like from a broken thermometer, it mostly passes through your body and very little is absorbed. If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you.

How long does mercury vapor stay in the air?

one year
At room temperature, exposed elemental mercury can evaporate to become an invisible, odorless toxic vapor. This vapor has a very long life (up to one year) in the air. Once released into the wider atmosphere, elemental mercury can travel thousands of miles and becomes part of a global pool of atmospheric mercury.

Can you still buy mercury thermometers?

While mercury thermometers can measure temperature within one degree Celsius, digital thermometers can be as accurate as 0.001 degrees C a difference of four orders of magnitude in accuracy. This changeover won’t be a big deal for the average person “In fact, you can’t buy [mercury thermometers] anymore,” Strouse said.

Can you get mercury poisoning from broken thermometer?

A broken mercury-containing thermometer can be toxic if the vapors are inhaled. The risk of poisoning from touching or swallowing mercury from a broken thermometer is low if appropriate clean-up measures are taken.

Why is mercury thermometers banned?

The reason: Mercury released into the environment from a broken thermometer is highly poisonous. Pure mercury and its compounds can cause neurological problems and other ailments in people exposed to them.

What happens if mercury touches your skin?

If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you. Mercury is most harmful when you breathe in the vapors that are released when a container is open or a spill occurs. Pregnant women, infants and young children are particularly sensitive to the harmful effects of mercury.

Why is mercury thermometer banned?

As of 2012, many mercury-in-glass thermometers are used in meteorology; however, they are becoming increasingly rare for other uses, as many countries banned them for medical use due to the toxicity of mercury.

Why was mercury thermometer banned?

Are old fashioned mercury thermometers still available?

How do you clean up a broken mercury thermometer?

Are mercury thermometers safe to use?

The small silvery ball in a mercury thermometer can be dangerous if the glass breaks and the mercury is not cleaned up properly. The mercury will evaporate and can contaminate the surrounding air and become toxic to humans and wildlife.

Do mercury thermometers expire?

Thermometers do not expire, but they do have to eventually be replaced. Digital thermometers will last about 3 to 5 years, while mercury thermometers will last indefinitely as long as they aren’t cracked or damaged.

Are mercury thermometers illegal?

As a result, a number of states have banned or limited the sale of mercury thermometers, including California, Oregon, Rhode Island, Maine, Maryland, Indiana, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. Some local units of government across the country have issued bans as well, including Ann Arbor.