I broke a mercury thermometer....what should i do?

Question

I was running it under the tap when it broke and all the mercury washed down the sink.

Will it be in the U bend?

What should i do?

Answer 1

NEVER touch the mercury as it can be extremely deadly..

my dad's friend broke a thermometer too and use his hand to clean the table.. he was rushed to the hospital as the mercury was 'killing' his respiratory tract..

but other than that, it's good to inform the lab assistant about the case so if something DOES happen to the water system, they'll know and be more cautious bout it

next time let the thermometer cool down a little before washing it...

it's due to the high heat of thermometer  'meeting up' wit the sudden splash of cold water... it'll definitely break...

be careful next time :)

Answer 2

nothing would happen to your sink

but something could have happened to you if the mercury went ito some scars or worse, if you didin't wash your hands before eating...

Answer 3

It will end up in the septic/sewer system.  You'll be fine.

Answer 4

You'll be fine, just don't do it again

Answer 5

do not freak out but dont get it on you. if you did get the area amutated. no just kidding just contact your doc. and he/she will deal with it.

Answer 6

I don;t think mercury is all that bad, as a kid  I used to play with the little mercury balls from thermometers and I am still unharmed and alive.

However better be careful next time, but don't worry too much this time.

Answer 7

Hate to say this....do nothing.  One of my mothers friends called the health department when this happened to her.  They made her bring in people to clean it up and it ended up costing her over $2,000 in the end!  Just run water down the drain for a bit to try and get it out of the bend.  Or, just take off the bend, remove it and throw it in the trash!  Save yourself the money and frustration!!!!

Answer 8

Prevent the mercury attach your skin.

The beteer way is to buy a new thermometer.

Answer 9

as long as you dint touch it...its fine

otherwise i think you just poisoned the water system

Answer 10

The research I've done makes it sound like even a small amount needs to be cleaned up or it can be harmful.  Check out this site, I thought it was informative.  And in response to the $2000 above, this site says you can get an inexpensive clean up kit.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/cea/...

Answer 11

Kill yourself

Answer 12

The mercury will stay in the trap.  The best thing to do would be to call your local municipality and ask about hazardous waste disposal, they should have a team that can remove the trap a dispose of it.  You will probably have to then get a plumber to replace the trap.