Instructions for Cleaning Up Mercury Spills

Liquid mercury, often known as quicksilver, is a very poisonous substance frequently present in several pieces of equipment used in the workplace. Thermometers, pressure sensors, and float valves are just a few examples. Mercury is commonly found in electrical parts like switches and relays. Additionally, it is still utilized in certain fluorescent lights and amalgams dental fillings. Of course, there are also laboratories for scientific study.

Have you ever visited a science lab at a school and seen this tremendous liquid metal? If so, you'll recall that it's a different material. It behaves in an untypical way at room temperature of most liquids or metals.

But because of these qualities, cleaning up a mercury spill requires a distinct strategy. It's critical to follow the proper cleaning procedures for mercury in the case of a leak. Otherwise, everybody who comes into contact with it has a higher chance of contracting mercury poisoning. Direct contact with the skin, absorption, vapor inhalation, or ingestion are all possible ways to become poisoned.

Even a tiny amount of mercury exposure can be fatal. Because of this, they are controlling and cleaning up a mercury spill requires specialized equipment. The liquid silver metal readily "scatters" into tiny droplets. To reduce risk, a mercury spill kit must absorb, neutralize, and suppress mercury vapor.

Here are some dos and don'ts for cleaning up the mercury:

Don't: Clean up mercury spills using a vacuum.

Never clean up a spill of liquid mercury using a vacuum. The suction pressure of a vacuum will not hold small mercury particles; rather, it will drive them into the air. Anyone nearby will be exposed to more mercury as a result of this.

Although using a vacuum cleaner with mercury may initially seem intelligent, doing so is extremely risky. The hazmat environment becomes significantly more dangerous when mercury is dispersed into the air. Keep the vacuum off, then!

Don't use a broom to sweep mercury

Using a broom to sweep up liquid mercury leaks is another typical error. As was already mentioned, mercury has unique qualities. One is the propensity for water or compounds with a water basis to "ball" up rather than distribute uniformly.

Likely, using a broom to sweep liquid mercury will spread it farther. You'll have dozens or hundreds of tiny drips dispersed around the floor instead of simply a few massive drops clustered together.

Do: Put on safety gear while cleaning up the mercury spill

Before trying to clean up a mercury leak, always wear safety gear. Even skin contact with liquid mercury is harmful because of its extreme toxicity. Put on a set of heavy, professional-grade latex gloves and safety goggles.

Also, remember that you should avoid coming into close contact with liquid mercury, even when wearing PPE.

DO: Use a squeegee to remove mercury from the air

How precisely are spills of liquid mercury cleaned up if you're not permitted to use a vacuum or broom? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides valuable guidelines for cleaning up mercury accidents safely.

For instance, it advises pushing mercury into a single pile with a squeegee or piece of cardboard. After that, transfer it to a wet paper towel using an eyedropper. The mercury-filled paper towel can then be put inside a closed plastic bag. Last but not least, get in touch with your neighborhood fire or health department to have the liquid mercury biohazard appropriately disposed of.

Use Mercury Clean up kits for Mercury Spills

Everything needed to safely clean, disinfect, & dispose of the hazardous material is included in a kit for a mercury leak. A mercury-absorbing, encapsulating, or amalgamation powder is often the primary ingredient. A scraper, wipers, a dustpan, and disposal bags will be used as cleaning supplies. Some kit varieties could include tools like spatulas, aspirator bottles, or chemical sponges. Each package will contain proper PPE, such as goggles and thick nitrile gloves.

How To Use Mercury Spill Kit

Put on your gloves and safety glasses first. The mercury should then be entirely covered by a layer of absorbent powder placed around the spill location. The powder that absorbs mercury binds to the droplets and turns them into a solid substance like zinc amalgam. It also functions as a vapor suppressor to reduce exposure to this harmful material.

After a few minutes, use a hand brush and dustpan to remove the stabilized mercury. Use mercury cleanup wipes to decontaminate the spilled area and eliminate any leftover contaminants. Finally, place all of the hazardous components from the used kit in a trash bag and secure it with a twist tie.

AUTHOR: Talha Nadeem