What Should You Do If a Thermometer Breaks and Mercury Is Spilled?
Disease description:
This afternoon, my son accidentally broke a mercury thermometer while playing with it, spilling mercury all over the floor. How should I handle this situation?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Feng
After accidentally breaking a mercury thermometer, you should immediately open windows to ventilate the area. Under normal conditions, mercury evaporates at room temperature, and its vapor contains highly toxic mercury compounds; inhalation can easily cause liver or brain damage. Ventilation helps reduce mercury vapor concentration in the air. Additionally, spilled mercury droplets on the floor must be carefully collected—e.g., using adhesive tape to pick them up—and placed into a sealed bag for disposal in a hazardous waste bin.
