How to collect mercury if a thermometer breaks: 5 ways
The mercury thermometer has remained the most accurate and reliable device for measuring temperature for many years.
But its use is also known to carry certain risks, especially if the thermometer is accidentally broken.
If this happens, it is important to know how to properly clean up spilled mercury.
To safely collect spilled mercury, you will need a special demercurization kit. It can be purchased at pharmacies or specialized stores that sell cleaning supplies. The kit includes:
• protective gloves;
• protective footwear (shoe covers);
• mask or respirator;
• special container for collecting and storing mercury.
In addition, you can use improvised means to collect spilled mercury.
1. A syringe or rubber bulb is the most effective method.
2. A couple of sheets of damp paper or newspapers – they will help collect mercury by absorption.
3. Sticky tape or scotch tape - these can stick to the mercury drops and collect them.
4. Wet cotton wool – it absorbs mercury well.
5. Plasticine - it can collect mercury drops by sticking.
Earlier we wrote about the most common illnesses you can get after coronavirus.
