Myths and truth: how dangerous are mercury balls from a thermometer really? Why is mercury from a thermometer dangerous for humans and their health? The effect of mercury from a thermometer on the human body

Everyone knows well how dangerous mercury balls are since childhood. Severe poisoning, in some cases leading to disability and even fatal outcome, - one of possible consequences such intoxication.

But not in all cases does mercury actually pose a significant health threat. In this article you will learn when to be wary of it and what to do to minimize the risks.

Why is mercury dangerous?

Mercury belongs to substances of the 1st hazard class. When this metal enters the body, it tends to accumulate - 80% of inhaled vapors are not excreted. In acute poisoning it can cause severe intoxication and death, in chronic poisoning it can lead to severe disability. First of all, those organs that accumulate the substance best - the liver, kidneys, and brain - are affected. Therefore, a common result of mercury poisoning is dementia, kidney and liver failure. When inhaling vapors, poisoning first affects the condition respiratory system, later the central nervous system (CNS) and internal organs, and with prolonged exposure, all body systems gradually suffer. Mercury is especially dangerous for pregnant women, as it affects intrauterine development, and children.

However, such severe consequences are caused not by the metal itself, but by its vapors - they are the main danger in everyday life. Balls of mercury from a broken thermometer begin to evaporate already at a temperature of +18°C. Therefore, at home, where the air temperature is usually much higher, the substance evaporates quite actively.

Mercury compounds, such as methylmercury, are no less dangerous to the body. In 1956, mass poisoning caused by this particular compound was discovered in Japan. The Chisso company systematically released mercury into the bay from which the fishermen were catching fish. As a result, 35% of those poisoned by contaminated fish died. After this incident, such intoxications were called Minamata disease (after the name of the local city). In everyday life, people practically never encounter such severe poisoning.

Acute mercury poisoning has distinct symptoms. Among characteristic symptoms the following:

• Weakness.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Headache.
• Chest and abdominal pain.
• Diarrhea, sometimes with blood.
• Difficulty breathing, swelling of the mucous membranes.
• Salivation and metallic taste in the mouth.
• Increase in temperature (in some cases up to 40°C).

Symptoms of poisoning develop within several hours after high concentrations of mercury vapors or compounds enter the body. If during this time the victim does not receive qualified medical care, poisoning will lead to irreversible consequences. A person develops dysfunction of the central nervous system, damage to the brain, liver and kidneys, loss of vision, and with a large dose of a toxic substance, death can occur. Acute poisoning is extremely rare: more often in accidents at work, in domestic conditions such a situation is practically impossible.

Mercurialism, or chronic mercury poisoning, is much more common. Mercury is odorless, so it is almost impossible to notice balls of the substance that, for example, have rolled under the baseboard, in the cracks between the floorboards, or remained in the carpet pile. But even the smallest drops continue to release deadly fumes. Since their concentration is insignificant, the symptoms are not so pronounced. At the same time, small doses over a long period lead to serious consequences, because mercury has the ability to accumulate in the body.

Among the first characteristic signs:

• General weakness, fatigue.
• Drowsiness.
• Headache.
• Dizziness.

Long-term exposure to mercury vapor can lead to hypertension, atherosclerosis, brain and central nervous system damage, and increases the risk of tuberculosis and other lung damage. The thyroid gland suffers from mercury vapor poisoning, and heart disease develops (including bradycardia and other rhythm disturbances). Unfortunately, the symptoms of mercurialism are initial stages poisonings are non-specific, so people often do not attach due importance to them.

In the event that the house crashes mercury thermometer or the metal has entered the open space from another source (such as a mercury lamp), it is important to ensure that the mercury is completely collected. It is also necessary to contact services that will help dispose of the substance - collected mercury thrown into a trash container poses no less of a threat.

Of course, the main source of mercury vapor in domestic conditions is a mercury thermometer. On average, one thermometer contains up to 2 grams of mercury. This amount is not enough for severe poisoning (if the mercury is collected correctly and on time), but it is quite enough for mild and chronic intoxication. As a rule, special services of the Ministry of Emergency Situations do not respond to domestic calls, but they will provide advice on a specific case. In addition, they will tell you where to donate the collected metal.

A large drop of mercury and the same amount of metal in small balls will evaporate differently. Due to the larger surface area, small droplets will release more hazardous vapors in a short period. Namely, they are often missed by people who independently eliminate the consequences of a broken thermometer.

The most dangerous situations:

• Metal got on upholstered furniture, children's toys, carpet, fabric slippers (it is impossible to completely collect mercury from such surfaces; things will have to be thrown away).
• Mercury for a long time was in a room with closed windows (this increases the concentration of vapors).
• Balls of mercury rolled across the heated floor (the evaporation rate increases).
• The floor is covered with parquet, laminate, wooden boards. In order to completely remove all mercury, you will need to remove the coating at the spill site - small balls easily roll into the cracks.

In addition to thermometers, mercury is contained in some devices, mercury discharge lamps and energy-saving fluorescent lamps. The amount of substance in the latter is quite small - no more than 70 mg of mercury. They pose a danger only if several lamps in the room have been broken. Fluorescent lamps must not be thrown into the trash; they must be taken to special recycling centers.

The dangers of mercury are often discussed in the context of vaccinations. Indeed, its compound thimerosal (merthiolate) has been used as a preservative in many vaccines. Back in the 20s of the twentieth century, concentration was quite dangerous; since the 1980s, its content in one dose does not exceed 50 mcg. The half-life of mercury compounds in this amount is about 4 days, even in infants, and after 30 days the substance is completely eliminated from the body.

Despite this, today most vaccines do not contain merthiolate at all. This is connected not so much with the danger of the preservative, but with the scandal that began 20 years ago. In 1998, the most prestigious medical journal Lancet published an article by researcher Andrew Wakefield, who linked vaccination (in particular, the thiomersal-containing MMR vaccine against measles, rubella, mumps) with the development of autism. The material caused heated discussions in the medical community and real panic among ordinary citizens. However, a few years later it was proven that Wakefield’s article was based on false data; it was not based on real facts, and the connection between autism and thiomersal has not been proven. A refutation of the material was published in the same Lancet journal. However, it is this article that is actively cited by representatives of the anti-vaccination movement. Today, vaccines produced in Europe and the United States do not contain merthiolate and therefore may not pose any risk of mercury poisoning.

Mercury may be found in small quantities in sea ​​fish and seafood. Ingestion of significant amounts of metal from food, as a rule, causes mild intoxication, the consequences of which are easy to eliminate. First aid for such poisoning is simple - you need to induce vomiting, and then take a few tablets activated carbon or take any other sorbent. After this, be sure to consult a doctor. This is especially important for pregnant women and children, since mercury poisoning poses the greatest danger to them.

Symptoms of mercury intoxication:

• Nausea.
• Dizziness.
• Noticeable iron taste in the mouth.
• Swelling of the mucous membranes.
• Dyspnea.

If a thermometer breaks in your house, don’t panic - quickly Taken measures will help to avoid negative consequences. Pharmacies sell special kits for demercurization, but you can collect mercury without them.

Ventilation and reduction of air temperature
An open window will help reduce the concentration of mercury vapor. It is advisable not to enter the room where the thermometer broke for a few more days, and keep the windows there constantly open. In winter, you should turn off the heated floor and tighten the radiators - the lower the temperature in the room, the less mercury evaporates.

• Mercury collection

For large drops you can use a syringe, for small drops - regular adhesive tape, plasticine, wet cotton. Before cleaning, shine a lamp on the place of the broken thermometer - this way everything will be visible, even the smallest balls. Mercury is collected using gloves, shoe covers and a respirator, only in a sealed container (plastic or glass container). All objects on which mercury has come into contact, including what it was collected with, are also placed in an airtight container.

• Treating the area where mercury was spilled

Surfaces are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate or a chlorine-containing preparation (for example, “Belizna” in a concentration of 1 liter per 8 liters of water). Leave the floor and surfaces for 15 minutes, then rinse with clean water. The final stage is treating the floor with potassium permanganate (1 g of potassium permanganate per 8 liters of water). As a result, mercury compounds are formed that do not produce vapor.

• What is prohibited

Do not collect mercury with a broom, mop or vacuum cleaner. You should also not wash contaminated clothes, slippers, or soft toys - the substance is difficult to wash off, and it may remain in the washing machine mechanism. All items that have been exposed to mercury must be disposed of.

• How to help yourself

The person who collected the mercury should wash their hands well after the procedure, rinse their mouth, and brush their teeth. You can drink 2-3 tablets of activated carbon. Gloves, shoe covers and clothing that have been exposed to mercury must be disposed of.

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Mercury is a well-known and widespread transition metal, actively used by modern industry for a number of technological needs. This substance can cause harm to the body in any form, and severe types of poisoning can be fatal.

How dangerous is mercury for a person and her couple? What are its sources of distribution? Is it possible to protect against potential threat? You will read about this and much more in our article.

Ways of poisoning with a toxic substance

Despite the fact that mercury and its compounds occur in nature, the risk of natural poisoning from it is low - the vast majority of diagnosed cases of acute and chronic intoxications directly related to human technological activities on the planet. The main routes of penetration of this transition metal into the body can be considered:

How dangerous is mercury and how does it affect the body?

The toxic properties of mercury were known at the dawn of the development of civilization - primitive cosmetic ingredients, as well as strong poisons, were prepared from individual organic compounds of the substance.

In the era of the first industrialization, this transition metal was present in almost all areas of production at that time - from the creation of mirrors to the processing of hats. On modern stage technological development, humanity is gradually abandoning the use of mercury compounds, replacing them with safer ones for the human body.

As a rule, mercury vapor and organic complexes based on mercury are the most dangerous for the human body - they cause severe poisoning and the most serious consequences for the body, posing a direct threat to the patient’s life.

Up to 100 percent of the vapor of the substance is actively absorbed by the alveoli of the lungs and enters the bloodstream. Possessing almost ideal fat-soluble properties, mercury easily overcomes all types of organic barriers, after which it is oxidized and binds to blood proteins. In this case, a significant part of mercury in liquid form, ingested accidentally or intentionally, is transformed into sulfur-alkaline structures, which are less hazardous to health, but still have pathological effects at high concentrations.

Organic mercury compounds, regardless of the route of penetration, are well absorbed by the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, as well as skin (including intact skin), after which they penetrate through the membranes of erythrocytes and directly bind to hemoglobin in the blood.

The main pathological effect of the substance and compounds is the destruction of protein structures and soft tissues, especially mucous membranes. Basic localizations of primary concentrations are in the kidneys, brain, liver and lungs.

The half-life of mercury and its derivatives ranges from 40 to 80 days and depends on the predominant form of the substance - inorganic compounds and classical vapors are released longer than inorganic compounds.

How much mercury is dangerous to human health?

This question cannot be answered unambiguously, since the potential danger largely depends not only on the amount of the substance, but also on the regularity of its entry into the body and the basic form of mercury (gas, inorganic or organic liquid).

According to domestic safety standards in production and at home, the maximum permissible concentration of mercury should not be higher than 0.25 milligrams per cubic meter of air.

Even if the specified dosage is slightly exceeded, mercury compounds begin to accumulate in the body and cause further chronic poisoning. A double dose of 0.25 milligrams per 1 cubic meter of air provokes penetration of the substance through the skin through the contact method of penetration.

• Irritation and toxic tissue damage - from skin and mucous membranes to the internal structures of organs;
• Systemic allergies and autoimmune processes. Characteristic in cases chronic forms poisoning;
• Problems with the bronchopulmonary system. Mercury poisoning leads to the formation of severe bronchial obstruction, instant pulmonary edema and the development of pneumonia;
• Cardiac and vascular pathologies. Since a significant part of mercury compounds (especially of organic nature) is transported to organs by the bloodstream, this process in any case causes pathologies of cardio-vascular system– from symptomatic tachycardia and surges blood pressure before damage to the heart muscle tissue;
• Mental syndromes and diseases of the central nervous system. The substance easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in the brain. In the chronic type of poisoning, this causes various psychical deviations(in most cases – reversible) in the form of emotional instability and lability, sharp changes mood (shyness and lethargy is replaced by activity and aggression), deterioration of memory, basic reflexes. In parallel with this, tremor of the limbs and the whole body, convulsions, temporary loss of consciousness, disorientation in space, distorted perception of reality (including hallucinations) may be observed;
• Sexual problems. Mercury intoxication often leads to impotence, infertility, abnormal fetal development (due to the fact that mercury compounds also penetrate the placental barrier and negatively affect the embryo directly) and constant miscarriages;

• Operational disruptions thyroid gland . Manifests itself in degenerative processes of the organ and inhibition of hormone synthesis;
• Kidney and liver failure. It is provoked by the direct toxic effect of mercury compounds on hepatocytes and tissues of designated organs;
• Other diseases, syndromes and disorders, both temporary and irreversible.

Is it possible to die from mercury poisoning?

Previously, death from mercury poisoning was a common event in medicine. Modern technologies, tightening control over this cumulative poison, as well as a significant reduction in the scope of its use, have significantly reduced such risks.

Death after poisoning with mercury or its compounds is possible under the simultaneous combination of several circumstances:

Measures to prevent and protect against mercury poisoning

It is almost impossible to completely protect yourself from the danger of mercury poisoning, but you can significantly reduce the risk of such a problem by following simple and effective recommendations:

Mercury is an extremely toxic material. This metal itself and all its compounds belong to the 1st, highest, hazard class. Organic mercury compounds are especially dangerous. It is curious that metallic mercury itself has virtually no harmful effects on the body - its vapors are most dangerous. However, do not rush to rejoice: mercury is the only metal that begins to evaporate already at room temperature- +18°C! Moreover, mercury vapor can only be detected using special devices, since they are colorless and odorless.

For a living organism there is no safe doses vapors of this insidious metal. This is why it is so dangerous to leave a broken thermometer or fluorescent lamp unattended at home: tiny droplets of mercury can crumble into tiny droplet balls and roll into cracks and other hard-to-reach places, from where they will begin to evaporate and poison all living things around.

Mercury that enters the human body is excreted very slowly and distributed throughout all organs. When inhaled, it accumulates primarily in the lungs, and then in the blood, liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract and in the brain.

Depending on the amount of mercury entering the body and the duration of its exposure, acute and chronic mercury poisoning are distinguished.

Acute mercury poisoning relatively rare - they occur when receiving a large dose of mercury in a short period of time. But even acute poisoning begins to manifest itself only a few hours after the onset of poisoning (from 8 to 24). A person feels a metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, and lack of appetite. Begins headache, vomiting, pain when swallowing, gums swell and bleed. Appear severe pain in the abdomen, often diarrhea, cough, shortness of breath, pneumonia may develop; the temperature rises to 38-40°C. Death occurs within a few days.

More common chronic mercury poisoning(they are called mercurialism), which arise, for example, during prolonged exposure to a room with a high concentration of mercury vapor or during prolonged contact with substances containing mercury. They manifest themselves mainly as damage to the central nervous system: patients feel weakness, fatigue, they have frequent headaches and dizziness, attention deteriorates, “mercury tremor” develops - trembling of the hands, fingers, legs, lips, mental disorders develop - irritability, apathy , poor self-control. On late stages Chronic mercury poisoning causes these disorders to become irreversible and lead to dementia and death.

Chronic mercury poisoning in the past befell those who dealt with compounds of this metal in their line of work, because until quite recently people did not realize that mercury is a terrible poison. Moreover, mercury and its compounds were included in a number of medications!

Remember the mad hatter from L. Carroll's fairy tale "Alice in Wonderland"? This is not just the author’s fantasy, but a play on the popular English expression “mad as a hatter.” Even then, signs of a disease were noticed, which was called “the old hatter’s disease.” It had all the signs of chronic mercury poisoning, including dementia. The fact is that in the 18th and 19th centuries, hatters used mercury compounds to produce felt.

Another historical fact of mercury poisoning, which was discovered in our time, is associated with the name of Ivan the Terrible. Having examined the remains of the king, scientists discovered the highest concentration of mercury in them - 13 g per 1 ton, while usually the mercury content in human tissues does not exceed 5 mg per ton. The difference is 2600 times! Conclusion - chronic mercury poisoning. Its cause could be the long-term use of mercury ointments, which Ivan the Terrible used for joint pain. Chronic mercury poisoning may be the key to the mystery of the unbridled character of the Russian tyrant Tsar: as you already know, with this disease the nervous system becomes unstable, which can manifest itself, among other things, in excessive suspiciousness, suspicion, hallucinations and outbursts of unbridled anger, in in a fit of which Ivan the Terrible once killed his son.

There is only one conclusion from what has been said: don’t joke with mercury! If a thermometer or fluorescent lamp breaks in your home, immediately take the precautions required to prevent mercury poisoning.

Mercury is amazing chemical element. This is obvious, if only because mercury is the only metal that is in a liquid state under conditions that we usually call normal. Under such conditions, mercury is able to evaporate and form a mercury atmosphere. It is these properties that have determined the special position of mercury in our lives. This unusual metal is distinguished by its noble silvery-white color, and its vapors are extremely poisonous. And although mercury is not as actively used in industry as iron, gold or silver, people have many myths about it. We will tell you about the five most common ones...

Mercury has provided enormous services to humanity. For many centuries it has been used in a wide variety of areas of human activity - from cinnabar paint to a nuclear reactor. Using the various properties of mercury, independent industries were created, including gold mining using the amalgamation method, the production of gas-discharge mercury lamps, chemical power sources, chlorine and caustic soda. Mercury is used in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and dentistry. It served as a coolant in one of the first fast neutron reactors.

In 1886, the first mercury in Russia was produced in Gorlovka (now the Donetsk region of Ukraine). This unusual metal is distinguished by its noble silvery-white color, and its vapors are extremely poisonous. Although mercury is not as actively used in industry as iron, gold or silver, people have many myths about it. We will tell you about the five most common ones...

DEADLY BALLS

There is a myth that mercury balls, which form, for example, after a thermometer breaks, are extremely dangerous to human health. This is not entirely true; mercury itself is not dangerous. Mercury vapor is harmful. Therefore, contact with mercury balls on the skin will not cause the same reaction as long-term inhalation of its vapor.

Mercury vapor leads to disorders of the human central nervous system. The first symptoms are not particularly eloquent; they can easily be confused with a common illness. Primary damage to the body by mercury vapor is characterized by increased fatigue, weakness, headaches, and a little later dizziness begins.

Later, mercury tremor develops. It is at this stage that, as a rule, they consult a doctor. Mercury tremor is accompanied by trembling of the hands, eyelids, lips, often a metallic taste appears in the mouth, watery eyes, and stomach problems.

ELIMINATING THE MERCURY THREAT YOURSELF

Many people believe that they can collect the mercury themselves and eliminate the risk of poisoning. However, in practice, few achieve such results. Mercury is very mobile and easily breaks down into small particles that are difficult to detect by eye.

In this regard, to eliminate the mercury threat, it is necessary to use the help of professionals who will determine the environmental condition of the apartment. The environmental service must carry out measures to clean the premises and provide expert information on the prevention of poisoning.

If you still try to cope with the mercury threat on your own, then you need to ventilate the room well. For example, if you do not ventilate a room of 16 square meters. m. with a ceiling 3 m high, which contains 4 grams of mercury (the volume contained in a medical thermometer), then the concentration of mercury vapor in this area will exceed the norm by 27,667 times.

RED MERCURY

In the early 1990s, rumors spread about the creation of a new variety of mercury - red mercury or the substance RM 20/20, allegedly produced in secret scientific laboratories of the USSR.

Red mercury was said to have fantastic properties - from super-density (over 20 g/cm3) and super-radioactivity to cosmic origin and the ability to cure any ailment.

Sellers asked for 1 kilogram of mercury from 300 to 400 thousand dollars. Moreover, there were buyers, including Western ones. Under the guise of red mercury, the buyer was given anything from mercury amalgam to ordinary mercury, colored with dyes or brick powder.

Many Soviet nuclear physicists have repeatedly denied the possibility of creating such a substance, explaining that it not only contradicts the laws of nature, but is also impossible at the modern technological level.

Rumors about the substance RM 20/20 died down on their own after a few years. Current researchers believe that the hype was created deliberately, in the name of the monetary interests of many high-ranking people. However, articles about reality scientific developments to create red mercury still appear today.

MYTH ABOUT EXPENSION

Police officers regularly seize mercury from citizens who try to sell it. Such transactions are prohibited by law. Experts say that in reality few people need mercury and sales are based only on citizens’ misconceptions about the high cost of mercury.

In fact, mercury is not a valuable or sought-after substance. It is used extremely rarely, in particular, in the manufacture of fluorescent lamps.

Mercury production in Russia was stopped back in 1991. But, according to experts, its reserves will be enough for another ten years of industry operation. According to experts, illegal sales of this heavy toxic metal will flourish for about the same time.

Some craftsmen still manage to use mercury for personal purposes. In particular, the metal can be used to purify gold from oxides.

USEFULITY OF MERCURY

Many are convinced that mercury has healing properties and it is necessary for the body to function properly. Articles are appearing that mercury has a certain biotic effect and has a stimulating effect on vital processes.

The average 150-pound person contains approximately 13 milligrams of mercury, but it appears to have no physiological role. At least, a vital necessity The use of this metal for humans and other organisms has not been proven.

At the same time, it has been scientifically proven that mercury, in doses exceeding the physiological requirement, is toxic to all forms of life, and in almost any state.

Resuscitator Rafael V. Makarov:

Indeed, it is not mercury that is dangerous, but its vapors that lead to chronic poisoning. And further. In the old days it was believed that mercury had a magical effect and saved from evil spirits and poisons.

The victim of such a myth was Ivan the Terrible, who kept a vat of mercury under his bed. Prolonged inhalation of mercury vapor explains mental disorders the king and his inexplicable aggression. And also the fact that at the end of his life he practically “rotted alive.”

Mercury is a very interesting metal. It is as hard and quite durable as the others, but melts at -38 degrees Celsius. Therefore, mercury can be seen much more often in the form of silvery balls. At room temperature (19 degrees), this metal already begins to evaporate.

IN Soviet time Very often, mercury tips were used in thermometers. The devices turned out to be very accurate, but at the same time, they were quite dangerous.

What happens if you break such a tip in a thermometer? Mercury belongs to substances of hazard category 1. Its fumes are extremely toxic and can lead to serious consequences. Just 2.5 grams of this substance is enough to kill a person.

Interestingly, it is much easier to combat the consequences of mercury poisoning if it gets on the skin or is even swallowed by a person. In this case, you should also remove it from the skin or induce vomiting to clear the stomach, and consult a doctor as soon as possible. He knows exactly what to do to avoid disaster. But the worst thing is if the mercury balls evaporate and are inhaled by a person:

1. Mercury vapor is invisible and a person may not be aware that contamination is occurring. She won't smell. Even after mercury is collected, its microparticles can evaporate for weeks, poisoning the body;
2. 80% of inhaled mercury remains in the body, causing severe poisoning;
3. One broken thermometer is enough to contaminate the air over an area of ​​more than 6,000 square meters, exceeding permissible level mercury content by 5 or more times.

What does mercury poisoning look like?

There are 2 types of mercury poisoning: acute and chronic. The first implies that the body was simultaneously ingested a large number of metal, causing the body to respond to the poison. Chronic poisoning (also called “mercurialism”) develops over several months or even years, during which a person is constantly in contact with small doses of mercury. Micromercurialism is also separately distinguished, when the dose of poison is even smaller, but the effect lasts more than 5 years.

Symptoms acute poisoning mercury will appear just a couple of hours after contact with the metal. This usually occurs after ingestion of mercury balls, for example by small children who break a thermometer. Symptoms look the same in people of any age. But in children they develop faster and stronger.

Initially, weakness and headache occur. Then problems with the gastrointestinal tract will begin to appear in all their beauty:

• Loss of appetite;
• There is pain when swallowing;
• An unpleasant metallic taste appears in the mouth and profuse salivation begins;
• The gums become swollen and begin to bleed;
• Nausea and vomiting occur.

If you do not seek help in time, then sharp pains in the abdomen appear due to cramps, and the intestines are also damaged by mercury. Bloody diarrhea begins. Body temperature rises to 40 degrees. Begin inflammatory processes in the lungs: cough, chest pain, shortness of breath. All this can lead to death, so it is better not to delay going to the doctor.

Consequences of mercury on the body

Mercurialism occurs when long time breathe mercury from a broken thermometer or other source. In this case, mercury primarily affects nervous system. Depending on the state of the body and the dose of poison, the severity of the symptoms may vary, but in general you can see the following picture, extended over a long period of time:

1. Headaches and dizziness;
2. Loss of strength: weakness and increased fatigue, drowsiness even when observing the work and rest regime;
3. Psychological problems: memory impairment, decreased attention and self-control, depression, shyness;
4. Tremor of the face and limbs with a strong emotional outburst;
5. Disorders of the senses: smell, taste, touch;
6. The thyroid gland increases in size;
7. Disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular and excretory systems.

If the cause of mercury infection is not eliminated, a person becomes disabled due to psychological problems. During pregnancy, mercury can cause pathologies in fetal development.

What to do if the thermometer breaks?

To avoid chronic poisoning due to a broken mercury thermometer, it is necessary to get rid of the dangerous substance as soon as possible in order to reduce the extent of its spread and evaporation. This is not easy to do - balls of mercury are hidden under baseboards and in various cracks on the surfaces of objects; with strong impact, they break into smaller balls and spread even further throughout the house.

To get an idea of ​​what it looks like, you can scatter the beads and then collect every single bead. It's quite difficult. Therefore, in order to avoid health problems, it is better not to break thermometers and switch to using electronic ones.

If there is a danger, you need to call the Ministry of Emergency Situations and entrust this problem to specialists who know exactly what to do with mercury. Before their arrival, it is necessary to remove all people and animals from the room in order to reduce poisoning and also prevent the spread of mercury throughout the apartment.

Under no circumstances should you ventilate the room while the metal is still on the floor. The wind will carry microparticles of mercury everywhere.

The mercury must then be collected quickly to reduce the degree of poisoning.

What should you not do if the thermometer breaks?

Each person has certain habits when cleaning contaminated surfaces. But mercury requires special and delicate handling:

These are all things that should never be done. And in order to minimize the damage, it is necessary to collect mercury from the thermometer as quickly as possible before the arrival of specialists in order to neutralize the danger.

How to properly collect mercury?

Knowing how dangerous mercury is, it is better to try to collect everything, even the smallest balls of this metal. This may involve getting rid of any clothing, carpets or bedding that has had metal spilled on it. It is also likely that the baseboards will need to be removed. If the floor is parquet, then most likely you will need to carefully check all the cracks between the planks.

The first thing to do when a mercury thermometer is broken is to remove all residents from the room. After this, it is necessary to protect the skin and lungs. To do this, you need rubber gloves, shoe covers and a damp cotton-gauze bandage. Then you need to take a container with a tight-fitting lid to collect the mercury. A solution of potassium permanganate is poured into the container. If you don’t have it on hand, you can get by with plain water.

You also need a light source. It is best to use a powerful diode flashlight, placing it parallel to the surface on which the mercury has spilled. This way the balls will be best visible to the naked eye.

By the way, do not delude yourself with the fact that mercury is a metal. Magnets are completely useless when collecting it.

To collect mercury you will need:

• Paper or foil;
• Soft brush or cotton wool;
• Syringe or bulb;
• Sand;
• Scotch tape or band-aid.

First of all, a thermometer with mercury, or rather with its residues, is placed in a prepared container with water. Then large balls of mercury are collected on the paper, like on a scoop. To do this, it is best to use a soft brush or a piece of cotton wool dipped in a solution of potassium permanganate. As a last resort, you can use another piece of paper. As the metal is collected, it is carefully poured into a container.

The remaining small balls are gradually collected into a syringe. When only microbeads remain on the surface and cannot be collected in any way, it’s time to pick up the patch. The smallest particles of mercury will stick to it. Then the entire harvested “harvest” is again dumped into the container.

Once the bulk of the mercury has been collected, the hardest part begins—cleaning out all the cracks and crevices. It is best to cover them with sand, and then sweep them with a brush or immediately collect them on a plaster.

How to secure your home?

As soon as the collection of mercury is completed, you should begin disinfecting the house. To do this, you will need a rag and a strong solution of potassium permanganate - half a teaspoon of manganese per liter of water. This solution can be replaced with bleach. All wooden and metal surfaces are thoroughly wiped with this solution. You can wash it off in a couple of days.

When the main amount of mercury has been disposed of, it is necessary to ventilate the room for a while (and the longer, the better). All tools and protective equipment should not be thrown away; it is best to take them along with the mercury to a recycling service. It's best to get rid of clothes too.

One way or another, so as not to find out whether mercury is dangerous and to avoid any consequences, knowledgeable people demercurization specialists are always called. They know what to do if a mercury thermometer breaks. More importantly, they have everything at their disposal necessary equipment to determine the extent and neutralization of infestation and final cleaning of the house.