What is Mercury?
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal which has several forms. Metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid.
When liquid mercury (also known as elemental or metallic mercury) is spilled, it forms droplets that can accumulate in
the tiniest of spaces and then emit vapors into the air. Mercury vapor in the air is odorless, colorless, and very
toxic. Most mercury exposures occur by breathing vapors, by direct skin contact or by eating food or drinking water
contaminated with mercury. All mercury spills, regardless of quantity, should be treated seriously.
First Aid Measures for Metallic Mercury
People not involved with First Aid should leave the area. Assume that the clothes of anyone who handled the
mercury are contaminated. Place clothes in a sealed plastic bag and disposed of in accordance with Federal, State and
Local regulations.
Inhalation: Remove from exposure area to fresh air immediately. If breathing has stopped, give articial respiration.
Keep affected person warm and at rest.
Get medical attention immediately.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash affected area with soap or mild detergent
and large amounts of water until no evidence of chemical remains (approximately 15-20 minutes).
Get medical attention immediately.
Eye Contact: Wash eyes immediately with large amounts of water or normal saline, occasionally lifting upper and
lower lids, until no evidence of chemical remains (approximately 15-20 minutes).
Get medical attention immediately.
Ingestion: Get medical attention immediately. Give white of egg in water. Later give milk. Then induce vomiting.
If the patient is unconscious, do not induce vomiting. Get medical attention immediately.
Spill Clean up
People not involved with the clean up should leave the area. Windows and doors in the area of the spill should be
opened to ventilate the area.
Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury. The vacuum will put mercury into the air and increase exposure. The
vacuum appliance will be contaminated and have to be thrown away.
Never use a broom to clean up mercury. It will break the mercury into smaller droplets and spread them.
Never pour mercury down a drain. It may lodge in the plumbing and cause future problems during plumbing repairs. If
discharged, it can cause pollution of the septic tank or sewage treatment plant.
Never wash mercury-contaminated items in a washing machine. Mercury may contaminate the machine and/or pollute
sewage.
Never walk around if your shoes might be contaminated with mercury. Contaminated clothing can also spread mercury
around.
Items needed to clean up a small mercury spill
1) 4 to 5 ziplock-type bags
2) trash bags (2 to 6 mm thick)
3) rubber or latex gloves
4) paper towels
5) cardboard or squeegee
6) eyedropper
7) duct tape, or shaving cream & small paint brush
8) ashlight
9) powdered sulfur (optional)
Motion Pro, Inc.
867 American Street • San Carlos • CA • 94070
Tel: 650.594.9600 Fax: 650.594.9610
08-0012 Metallic Mercury 0.15oz.
(Used in kit part numbers 08-0009 and 08-0010)
– Over –
I8-0012 05/12/2005
(1 pages)
Manymanuals.com
Manymanuals.de
Manymanuals.fr
Manymanuals.it
Manymanuals.pl
Manymanuals.cz
Manymanuals.es
Manymanuals-pt.com
Comments to this Manuals