How to handle mercury if a thermometer breaks
Disease description:
This afternoon, my son accidentally broke a mercury thermometer while playing with it. The mercury scattered all over the floor. What should I do in such a situation?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
When a thermometer breaks and causes mercury leakage, the following steps should be taken:
1. **Immediately open windows for ventilation**: Mercury is volatile. Prompt ventilation can reduce the concentration of mercury vapor indoors, minimizing the risk of inhalation exposure.
2. **Personal protection**: Wear rubber gloves and a disposable medical mask to prevent direct skin contact with mercury and inhalation of mercury vapor.
3. **Collect the mercury**: Carefully gather the mercury using tools such as a small scoop, cardboard, or syringe. For small mercury droplets, a damp cotton swab or adhesive tape can be gently used to pick them up.
4. **Use sulfur powder**: If available, sprinkle sulfur powder over the mercury to allow a chemical reaction to occur, forming mercuric sulfide, which achieves a harmless treatment effect.
During the cleanup process, avoid using a vacuum cleaner or broom to prevent the spread of mercury.
