Mercury Thermometer Disposal and Clean-up

A broken mercury thermometer is a serious health threat to children. If you break your mercury thermometer, DO NOT use a vacuum or a broom to clean up; the mercury will contaminate them and further distribute mercury throughout the house.

CLEANUP

• Assemble the necessary cleanup supplies.
• Remove jewelry and watches from your hands, as mercury will bond with the metal. Put on rubber gloves.
• Use a flashlight to locate the mercury.
• Do not touch the mercury.
• Different surfaces require different clean up procedures:

- On a hard surface or tightly woven fabric, use stiff paper to push mercury beads together. Use eyedropper to suction mercury beads, or working over a tray to catch any spill, lift the beads of mercury with the stiff cardboard paper. Carefully place the mercury in a wide mouth container. Pick up any remaining beads of mercury with sticky tape. Place contaminated tape in a plastic bag along with the eyedropper, stiff paper and gloves. Place this bag and sealed container in the second bag.
- On a carpet or a rug, the mercury-contaminated section should be cut out and placed in a plastic bag with all the cleanup items.
- In a sink of water, remove as much water without disturbing the mercury and recover the mercury with an eyedropper. Place in a wide container and seal with tape.
- In a drain, mercury will get caught in the sink trap. Working over a tray, remove the trap and pour the contents into large mouth container.

After any clean up procedure, always label bags or sealed-containers as mercury waste and call your state Pollution Control Agency for appropriate disposal.

en español