How to collect mercury from the carpet if the thermometer broke

Modern electronic thermometers of good quality are quite expensive, so many people still prefer proven mercury thermometers to them. Moreover, electronics are often mistaken and require periodic replacement of batteries, which are also not very cheap.

A mercury thermometer contains a very dangerous substance that is in a glass shell. Falling to the floor is quite enough for fragile glass to shatter and mercury to scatter throughout the room. To avoid poisoning by the vapors of this liquid metal, you need to quickly collect it.

What is the danger of mercury on the carpet

If mercury hits a flat surface, such as a table or floor, it can be quite easily collected using sheets of paper, dropping droplets towards each other and connecting them.But when such a substance gets on the pile fabric of the sofa upholstery or carpet, certain problems begin.

Mercury droplets penetrate between the carpet fibers and it is very difficult to get them out. If something remains, then the dangerous fumes can lead to poor health, the emergence of chronic diseases. How do you need to act in such situations and not harm yourself even more? After all, many incorrectly remove mercury, endangering not only themselves, but all households.

What not to do and why

Some items intended for traditional cleaning are absolutely not suitable for cleaning carpet or furniture upholstery from mercury. Broom in its structure acts as a comb, which should be cleaned of coarse dirt. In the case of mercury, twigs from a broom will only separate the droplets, but they will not sweep them away. Moreover, small particles are then much more difficult to assemble and they can penetrate into the basis of the carpet.

The vacuum cleaner is also strictly forbidden, because after such a cleaning it can be simply thrown away and preferably so that no one can use it anymore.After all, mercury settles on the parts of the device and during subsequent inclusions it will heat up and evaporate, poisoning the air around it.

Moreover, the brush of the vacuum cleaner can also break up droplets into small particles and provoke their deepening into the basis of the carpet. But even without the nozzle, the pipe will stick to the surface in one place, and the peas around the mercury will move and divide around. If the vacuum cleaner is not old and is still serviceable, then you should not spoil it in order to collect mercury, because such cleaning will bring even more harm than it was before.

Preparation for cleaning

Of course, the best way to get rid of the danger when breaking a mercury thermometer is to call a special team that deals with the de-mercuration of premises. But the difficulty is that such services do not work for free and the procedure is rather expensive. Yes, and no one will bother with the preservation of another's property, the carpet is simply rolled up and disposed of.

And if the rug is new and expensive as a memory, and the hand does not rise, then how to save the thing? It is important to follow the correct sequence of actions in order not to endanger yourself and other inhabitants of the house.The sooner the mercury is collected and neutralized, the less damage it will have time to bring.

The cleaning person should immediately put on a gauze bandage covering the mouth and nose, which should be soaked with water-soda solution or simply water. Moisture will trap dangerous vapors, which will protect the airways from damage. Being in a room with a broken thermometer does not cost more than fifteen minutes, you need to take breaks, preferably in the fresh air.

The sequence of actions when cleaning mercury from the carpet

All actions should be carried out in latex gloves. Rubber is not too tightly fitting the hand, so it will be inconvenient to do such fine work in them. To collect hazardous particles, you need to prepare a glass jar with water and a lid in advance.

It is most convenient to collect mercury from the carpet with a small rubber pear (syringe), gently pushing the carpet fibers. Small particles can be pushed to each other if they are at a distance of several millimeters. After all droplets of mercury have been collected from the carpet, it should be wiped with manganese or chlorinated solution.It is also advisable to treat all surfaces in the room with water and soda, since during the cleaning the hazardous metal evaporated.

After the end of the cleaning, you need to open the window and air the room for a long time. It is better if no one will dwell in it for a week, and the door will always be closed to prevent mercury vapors from entering the rest of the room.

If there is an opportunity, then the carpet after cleaning is better to be taken out for a while on the street, so the remnants of metal will finally dissipate in the air, where their concentration will be minimal and will not harm others. Before mercury is collected, it is not recommended to carry carpet products, as there is a chance that the smallest particles of this substance will be lost on the way and will significantly expand the danger zone.

What to do if mercury was not collected on time

Often, thermometers are smashed by children who are not aware of the danger of their contents. And in order to avoid punishment, they are trying in every way to hide this fact from their parents and other adults. Of course, such actions pose the greatest danger, since until the thermometer is lost and the glass fragments are found, mercury will evaporate and gradually poison the air in the room.

What to do in this case? For the first time, it is necessary to move at least children from the dangerous premises. Send to relatives or friends. The best method would be to call a service that will carry out the complete de-mercurization of all the rooms of an apartment and house, since for a long time mercury could spread everywhere.

If the cost of services of such organizations can not afford, then you have to do it yourself. All surfaces, including sofa upholstery and carpeting, must be treated with bleach solution and left in that condition for half an hour. Being at this time in the room is not recommended. Such a procedure should be carried out daily for the next two to three weeks and constantly ventilate the room.

A solution of chlorine can be replaced with a dark brown solution of potassium permanganate, but it is worth remembering that this substance can leave stains on the upholstery of upholstered furniture and carpet. The treated surfaces are best not to touch for several hours, then wipe everything with soapy water and soda.

Children who are in a room contaminated with mercury, it is better to immediately show the doctor, to avoid poisoning. Adults, even if there are no symptoms of mercury ingestion in the body, it is worth washing the stomach with a solution of potassium permanganate diluted to light pink water.At the first signs of poisoning, you should immediately visit the hospital.

If a mercury thermometer was broken and all actions to clean it were carried out correctly, then you can do without special services. But all the collected mercury, as well as solutions, brushes and rags that were used for cleaning should be collected in sealed containers and handed over to the organization that will dispose of them. In no case can you throw away anything yourself, since the remnants can poison others for a long time.

Video: how to properly collect mercury