Mercury is bad for your health, as well as for the water, wildlife, and waste systems on earth. Bear in mind that these thermometers have mercury inside, a substance that can be dangerous if the thermometer breaks. However, mercury and any connections with it are quite toxic and poisonous. Mercury thermometers are extremely dangerous when broken because of the hazardous liquids contained inside. Carbamazepine overdose: symptoms and treatment, Bromism – what it is, symptoms, treatment, Tablets chloramphenicol and alcohol: compatibility and interoperability, Mercury: lethal dose, and effect on human health, Chronic mercury poisoning: symptoms of intoxication, What happens if you drink mercury from a thermometer, How dangerous radiation is to humans and what it is, What kind of radiation most dangerous to humans, Harmful if a doctor and than it is dangerous to humans, Poisonous plant cow parsnip: what is dangerous to humans, Flower Euphorbia poisonous room: how dangerous to humans. This substance characteristic is not peculiar to other metals very low melting temperature – 38,8°C, and at a temperature of +18°C, it evaporates. Very toxic element ions, which are formed by oxidation of the metal. The best action to do if you touch mercury is to seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine and aren't experiencing any obvious effects. You need to remember that mercury is characteristic neurotoxic effects on the human body, occurring in the form of destruction of nerve cells. Mercury thermometers are no longer sold in the United States. If that happens, you'll need to dispose of the mercury and contaminated objects properly. Micromercurialism: at very low mercury concentrations, but over long periods of time from 5 to 10 years. If you have a mercury thermometer, replace it with a digital thermometer. All are safe and provide accurate measurements. But when all has crashed a thermometer with mercury, a danger for the human body are like shards of glass and spilled mercury from the glass tube. Like all metals, the mercury in the thermometer when the temperature increases it expands, and when the temperature is reduced. In addition to the mercury, the broken glass poses an issue on its own and can be harmful to anyone who comes into contact with it. If you have them, sulfur or zinc can be sprinkled onto mercury to form an amalgam, binding the mercury into a less reactive form. With proper and careful treatment with mercury thermometer, if you store it in a protected place, in a special case, please use only under adult supervision, it does not bear risk. You should also exclude the ceasing of the language and to ensure supply of fresh air. Almost every home kit lies mercury thermometer. Smartphone app thermometers. No, you should not use your old glass thermometer that contains mercury. If the thermometer is accidentally broken, do not panic, it is crucial to collect all metal balls. Normal body temperature range is 98.6 degrees F to 100 degrees F. Your child’s temperature can change with activity, eating, the amount of clothing he wears, or the time of day. These thermometers are filled with a hydrocarbon fluid that is environmentally safe. After the cleaning of the mercury is required to drink plenty of any water and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. All collected balls of mercury must be put in a glass container with water, close it tight lid. Mercury thermometer may contain dangerous liquid mercury in an amount of from 1 to 2 grams of the substance. Though you might not have any mercury thermometers in your home, chances are good you have other items that contain mercury, such as fluorescent or other mercury-containing light bulbs, or mercury-containing thermostats. Call your local health department, municipal waste authority or fire department for information on the proper disposal of the jar and contaminated clothing or carpets in accordance with local, state and federal laws. You need to open the Windows and close all doors to ensure fresh air and exclude the draughts that can spread mercury vapor in the neighboring rooms. You can easily tell if the thermometer that you are using is mercury or spirit filled by looking at the color of the fluid in it: mercury is red, hydrocarbon is blue. It's a good idea to contact your local Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or consult your physician. In its liquid metal form, mercury absorbs instantly into the skin; but it also has an extremely high vapor pressure, so an open container of mercury disperses the metal into the air. It is important to remember that mercury is nothing like a highly toxic poison and belongs to the 1st class of very toxic substances. Particularly sensitive to the action of vapors people with weakened immune systems and young children and pregnant women. Otherwise, the mercury will start to evaporate and will cause damage to the respiratory system. Liquid crystal thermometers aren’t as accurate but are safe and easy to use and give you enough of a general idea to allay anxieties. To treat mercury poisoning only in the hospital. You may have heard older people remark that it used to be common to use liquid mercury in labs and as students, they often poked at it with fingers and pencils. Fold the paper towel and place in a zip locking bag. Removing the remaining part is a long time through the kidneys. When collecting balls of mercury, you must be very careful, do not step on the glass shards of the thermometer. Digital thermometers are safer than glass thermometers because these do not contain mercury. The most commonly used thermometers nowadays are digital. It's never safe to touch mercury. Historically, mercury thermometers have been used for nearly all temperature measurements because of their accuracy and low cost. In the preventive purposes it is necessary to drink activated charcoal in a therapeutic dosage. Acute poisoning: high concentration, can happen after only 2-3 hours. We carry a full range of spirit filled thermometers. If the thermometer breaks you should NEVER : Vacuum the mercury, as the substance would go into the air. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. What You Should Know About Mercury Thermometers The small silvery ball in a mercury thermometer can be dangerous if the glass breaks and the mercury is not cleaned up properly. That is why the use of mercury thermometers in prohibiting medical and health care institutions. Mercury is an extremely toxic heavy metal. When it comes to large spill of mercury, poisoning can also occur through mucous membranes and pores of the skin. Possible immediate effects may include dizziness, vertigo, flu-like symptoms, burning or irritation, pale or clammy skin, irritability, and emotional instability. You may also replace it with a glass thermometer having alcohol or galinstan instead of mercury in it. Chronic poisoning: in constant contact with metal, with long hours of work in a closed room with the vapor concentration is slightly higher than the MPC. If there are any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, pick them up with care. Contagious herpes zoster or it is not dangerous to humans? Liquid mercury has properties to moisturize and stay on the glass, which produces thermometers. However, glass is very fragile, which means it can easily crack or break. Considering all the aspects of the negative impact of substances on the human body, it is necessary not only to detect the symptoms of mercury exposure, right remove and dispose of spills, but to provide emergency assistance. Yes, they lived to tell the tale, but they may also have suffered some small, permanent neurological damage as a result. However, their use is increasingly being restricted to industrial and scientific applications, as safety and environmental issues are demanding stricter laws on the disposal of products containing mercury. It is to alleviate the condition poisoned and consists of events: Given measures should be carried out if victim is fully conscious. Although it has been removed from most thermometers because of safety concerns, you can still find it in thermostats and fluorescent lights. Don't use a vacuum or a broom, since this contaminates the tools and actually spreads the mercury more than if you do nothing. Efficiency is a major factor in using infrared thermometers. Don’t use a mercury thermometer, which can be dangerous if it breaks. Mercury is a liquid metal that has been used in thermometers for many years, but it is toxic if swallowed or inhaled. If you have a mercury thermometer, don't throw it in the trash. However, there was a time when mercury thermometers were the only and most reliable way of measuring body temperature. Once a staple in most medicine cabinets, mercury thermometers use mercury encased in glass to measure body temperature. Don't flush it down the drain or throw it in the trash. This poisoning is often accompanied by pneumonia. Mercury thermometers are no longer recommended because they can break and allow mercury — which is toxic — to escape. Of course, identifying whether it is really mercury in your thermometer is an important step, however, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Fact that mercury thermometers are dangerous recognized in the EU and in several other countries. Even a simple thing such as a broken thermometer can lead to mercury poisoning. These types of thermometers were found in nearly every house and hospital at one time before digital thermometers were available. The first thing to remember if you break a mercury thermometer is that the silvery substance contained within those glass tubes has the potential to be highly toxic. The thermometer must be washed with ordinary soap or other body wash after each use. You need to remember that as the mercury evaporates in the open air, and under water. Use protective gloves and contact a poison control center if any mercury is ingested or comes in contact with your skin. Several other symptoms are possible, depending on the route and duration of exposure. Quick treatment can remove mercury from your system, preventing some damage. Environmentally responsible waste management solutions have been a way of life for Romano Disposal Services Inc. since 1962. Mercury Thermometers are dangerous. The average oral temperature reading is … A digital thermometer is useful for taking underarm temperature. Withdraw from the premises where were a damaged appliance, all that people and Pets, except for those who have clothes or wool there are remnants of mercury. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. Remove contaminated clothing and flush skin with water for 15 minutes to remove as much mercury as possible. Is my old mercury glass thermometer okay to use? Mercury is a dangerous metal. If used in a bubbler, the exhaust should go up a vertical tube to eliminate splashing and … The most similar alternatives to mercury fever thermometers are battery- and solar-powered digital thermometers. This amount clean mercury out of the glass tube is enough to poison a human body of varying severity. If the substance enters the body with food, it has no significant effect, as it is almost all excreted by the body through the intestines without absorption in the blood. Never use a mercury thermometer in a laboratory oven. Very toxic are a pair of liquid mercury, as in the inhalation vapours reach the lungs, further, the mercury is oxidized and in the oxidized state negatively affects the condition of the body. Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. To prevent the access of people in the room, which is poisoned with mercury. As the mercury from a broken thermometer is very dangerous in terms of the house needs to immediately provide first aid. The element affects reproductive organs and can damage a fetus. Swallowing this amount of mercury would pose little danger but the inhaling of the vapour could lead to health problems. If you do get mercury on your skin, seek medical attention and follow professional advice. Made of glass, they register the temperature when the mercury expands to the tube to the point of the scale. If a mercury thermometer breaks or leaks, it can release toxic vapors. Mostly mercury vapor intoxication leads to pneumonia, paralysis and blindness. Using a glass-stem mercury- or spirit-filled thermometer at different immersion depths, or at significantly different ambient temperatures from which it was calibrated, might require the application of emergent-stem corrections that can be tedious but necessary to calculate an accurate measurement. Mercury Care. Expressed metallic taste, pain in the abdomen, head and swallowing and lack of appetite. Although it has been removed from most thermometers because of safety concerns, you can still find it in thermostats and fluorescent lights. You can use a stiff sheet of paper to push the mercury droplets together to form a larger drop and then use an eyedropper to suck the one drop up or push it into a jar that you can seal with a lid. Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. They are safe to use than the mercury thermometers Safety is another factor that helps us to compare the digital and mercury thermometers. When using this attribute it is absolutely safe for humans. With those tips of mercury disposal process, you can ensure that you and your family are safe around mercury thermometers, and that is if it is absolutely necessary to have one in the first place. Depending on the duration of exposure and concentration of mercury there are the following types of poisoning: In most mercury toxic vapors enters the human body through the lungs. In addition, exposure to mercury affects the central nervous system, damaging the brain, liver, kidneys, and blood. Mercury thermometers have special issues for use and proper cleaning. For this reason in some countries even refused to use thermometers on a mercury-based. This prohibits the sale of measuring devices containing mercury, including thermometers and thermometers. Feature of mercury is quite remarkable. If you have a mercury thermometer in your home and you want to get rid of it, you need to safely dispose of it as hazardous waste. These are similar to mercury thermometers in both price and use. How dangerous is mercury from a thermometer for people. To measure the exact temperature of the body has spread thermometers using alcohol, glycerine, mercury, and electronic devices. Digital thermometers are safer options in the market compared to mercury thermometers at large. Some effects of mercury contact can be immediate, but the effects of mercury exposure also may be delayed. Place all broken objects on a paper towel. If a person exposed to mercury stops breathing, use a bag and mask to give them air, but don't perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, since this contaminates the rescuer, too. The NRC hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Also, keep in mind mercury exposure can affect your mental state, so don't assume your personal assessment of your health is valid. In that case, if damaged mercury thermometer in a hospital, at work or at home, it is necessary to call the emergency services and implement the following recommendations: The collection of toxic metal need to carry out promptly, especially if the room is warm. The symptoms of such poisoning can not occur, as the metal has a property of accumulation. Don't wash mercury-contaminated clothing. Wearing Shoe covers, rubber gloves, a respirator or moistened cotton-gauze bandage, which was moistened with water or strong solution of soda for respiratory protection from the action of vapors. But the maximum temperature measured by an alcohol thermometer is 78.5°C; hence this thermometer is suitable for measuring lower temperatures. These can easily spill when dropped or cracked and will pose a serious threat to those in the area. A new Brown-Spirit thermometer has a maximum range greater than 300° C but the accuracy limit can be ± 5°C at high temperatures. If scientific procedures cannot be performed with non-mercury thermometers, Teflon coated mercury thermometers should be used. Basically, the metal has a detrimental effect on the nervous system, the respiratory tract and kidneys. Digital thermometers are marked as a safety device both for medical practitioners and for parents. The symptoms of such poisoning can not occur, as the metal has a property of accumulation. If you have a larger mercury spill than the drop or two from a thermometer and up to about two tablespoons, open the windows, leave the room, shut the door behind you, and call your local health authority immediately. For a long period of penetration into the body is small, but dangerous doses of mercury may provoke a severe inflammatory processes in organs and systems. If you have an old mercury thermometer that you decide to use, shake it to get the mercury down to below 96 degrees F. Secure the bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department. At home and even a hospital setting is widely used mercury thermometers, as they give a error of only 0.01°C. Alcohol thermometers are used in the place of mercury thermometers considering the safety of the chemical compound. Insert the Thermometer in the Appropriate Location Take a rectal temperature if the person is under … When a person is unconscious, it is necessary to quickly release from the constricting clothes, lay on its side. The melting point of this chemical is only 38,8°C, and therefore under normal conditions it is in liquid form. “That adds up if a nurse has to take the temperature of 10 or 15 babies several times.”. This accuracy is achieved thanks to the amazing properties of liquid metal – mercury. Expressed General weakness, severe undue fatigue, head pain, increased irritability and dizziness. Mercury thermometers are often made of glass, which is then inserted to gauge temperature. This allows to achieve high precision of the measuring instrument by the use of glass tubes of very small cross-section. “Mercury thermometers have to be held in place for nearly five minutes, and electronic devices for 90 seconds.”. As practice shows, mercury thermometers show the accurate temperature readings of the body, due to the high conductivity of mercury and almost linear expansion coefficient of the metal. It sticks to clothing and is absorbed by hair and nails, so you don't want to poke it with a fingernail or wipe it up with a cloth. Pros and Cons of measuring basal body temperature with a glass thermometer Pros: high sensitivity and accuracy, easy to wash, cheap (mercury), available at any pharmacy (mercury), safe (mercury free). One reason digital thermometers are becoming more popular over mercury thermometers is that they are safer to use. These can all be used orally, rectally, or in the armpit. If the spill is more than about two tablespoons, call the National Response Center (NRC) hotline at (800) 424-8802 immediately. It's never safe to touch mercury. Mercury thermometer may contain dangerous liquid mercury in an amount of from 1 to 2 grams of the substance. Mercury spills are rare but can happen if you break a mercury thermometer, thermostat, or fluorescent bulb. Along with this important advantage, thermometers based on mercury are very harmful, and even dangerous drawback is the toxicity of the substance and tendency to accumulate in the body, which can even lead to fatal cases of poisoning. They pose a danger if they break and release the mercury, which is toxic. Some manufacturers use galinstan, a liquid alloy of gallium, indium, and tin, as a replacement for mercury. How dangerous is mercury from a thermometer to humans – so the question is people, faced with a deformed mercury thermometer. The delicate glass has a high risk for breaking, and the Environmental Protection Agency recommends discarding these devices at recycling centers certified to accept mercury waste 6 7. Unlike mercury in the mercury thermometer, alcohol is less toxic and evaporates quickly. The Teflon coating will help to reduce releases of mercury should a thermometer be broken. to organize the supply of fresh air into the room; No need to panic, it is precisely to determine what crashed it mercury thermometer and place of the incident. A variety of accurate and reliable mercury-free fever thermometers are available at your local pharmacy. Manifested in the form of protracted respiratory disease, increased bleeding of the gums, tremor of fingers, different disorders of the nervous system and violation of the cycle in young women. All the utensils and clothing that were used during the collection of mercury should be placed in plastic and disposed of. We’ll go over the benefits and drawbacks of mercury thermometers below. Do not leave open containers of mercury in the laboratory. The Most Toxic Elements on the Periodic Table, Why You Should Not Mix Alcohol and Bleach, How Sarin Nerve Gas Works (And What to Do If Exposed), How to Make a Sulfuric Acid Formula at Home, 5 Environmental Consequences of Oil Spills, Chronic Mercury Poisoning from a Single Brief Exposure, Mercury: Spills, Disposal and Site Cleanup, Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College. May manifest after a couple of years. Mercury thermometers are the most accurate means of measuring but rarely used now. Do not clean up spilled mercury with bare hands. Direct contact with elemental (liquid) mercury can cause irritation and chemical burns. This amount clean mercury out of the glass tube is enough to poison a human body of varying severity. 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