Re: Mercury spills

["R. Allen Shotwell" <rshotwel@IVY.TEC.IN.US>]

Several years ago we purchased a Mercury Spill Clean Up kit. It comes with
powder, sponges and a small hand operated suction pump. It works fine for
small spills (such as broken thermometers or even a few ml's from a
manometer) and mounts on the wall in the lab.

Seems like it was relatively inexpensive although I can't remember the price.



At 09:53 AM 5/5/99 -0500, you wrote:
> The discussion regarding the repair and maintenance of mercury
> barometers is very interesting, and the discussion regarding safe
> handling of mercury is especially so.
>
> What is the best method to clean up spilled mercury?  A chemist
> suggested to me that I sprinkle powdered sulfur over the spilled
> mercury.  The sulfur and mercury react to form mercurous sulfide which
> can be swept up with a broom.  Does anyone else have any other ideas?
>
> One method NOT to use is a vacuum cleaner.  Believe it or not, several
> years ago a homeowner in Illinois tried to clean up spilled mercury
> using the household vacuum cleaner.  Mercury vapors were blown out the
> exhaust contaminating the house.  Illinois EPA was eventually called
> in.  The house had to be demolished.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Glenn A. Carlson, P.E.
> St. Charles County Community College
> St. Charles, MO
> gcarlson@mail.win.org
R. Allen Shotwell
Chair, Science and Math
Ivy Tech State College
Terre Haute, IN  USA