Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services 
Mercury Facts
Metallic mercury is a silvery, mobile, liquid that is used in thermometers and other consumer products such as fluorescent tube light bulbs, blood pressure measuring instruments and button batteries. It is a hazardous chemical that can cause harmful health effects when inhaled. In fact, most toxic effects relating to mercury exposure are from breathing contaminated air.
Short-term exposure to high concentrations may cause headaches, cough, chest pains, chest tightness and difficulty in breathing. In addition, exposure may cause soreness of the mouth, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
Long term exposure (repeated or prolonged exposure to mercury liquid or vapor) causes effects that develop gradually, including: fine shaking of the hands, eyelids, lips, tongue, or jaw.
Bucket Project (Disposal)
Other effects include allergic skin rash, headache, sores in the mouth, sore and swollen gums, loose teeth, insomnia, excess salivation, personality change, irritability, indecision, loss of memory and intellectual deterioration. Metallic mercury can affect the health of an unborn fetus.
Recommendations based on current scientific information relating to indoor air quality and clean up of mercury:
Care of Shoes
If you have potentially stepped through a mercury contaminated area, it is possible that you may have trace amounts of mercury on the bottom of your shoes. Trace amounts of mercury will evaporate to the surrounding environment fairly quickly, particularly at warmer temperatures.
The recommendation is to remove your shoes as soon as possible to avoid spreading contamination further. Leave your shoes outdoors to off gas any remaining mercury vapor for at least two or three days. If you are uncomfortable with this, you can dispose of your shoes in the normal trash.
- DO NOT VACUUM -- The heat from the vacuum cleaner turns mercury into a toxic gas that is then inhaled. The vacuum cleaner also further disperses the mercury.
- People not wearing protective equipment and clothing should be restricted from areas of spills until clean up has been completed.
- Collect all visible recoverable spilled mercury using an eyedropper or by gently scraping the mercury up with a card or paper. Absorbing material may be applied to reduce the mobility of the mercury. Recovered mercury should be placed in a non-metal, airtight container, for disposal or recycling. Note: Anything used for clean up (e.g. broom, card, gloves, etc.) must also be discarded.
- Remove and dispose of all absorbent materials like carpeting.
- If possible, ventilate the area of the spill. Use caution not to ventilate vapors into occupied areas.
- A medical examination, which includes a blood test (within 3-4 days of exposure), or urinalysis for people exposed to metallic mercury may be considered if exposure was extensive.
- Additional assurances include changing the HVAC filters in case of contamination, and disposing of clothing worn during any mercury clean up.
Prevention and source reduction of metallic mercury is the key to a healthy environment. To reduce the risk of mercury exposure, avoid using products that contain metallic mercury -- substitutes such as digital thermometers are available.
Contact
Sara Morgan
Indoor Air Quality Program Manager
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Service
402-471-8320
sara.morgan@dhhs.ne.gov
