The thermometer crashed: a detailed action plan
Many mistakes are unacceptable
Almost every person may encounter a situation when a mercury thermometer breaks in their apartment, house or office. What to do in this situation? What actions should I take? How to competently solve the situation? Each of us should know all this, because the issues are really serious, and the situation itself requires the fastest possible solution...
The dangers of mercury
Before looking for an answer to a question what to do if the thermometer breaks, you need to understand the dangers of having mercury in an apartment or house. Mercury is a toxic liquid metal that actively evaporates into the air we breathe. In this regard, mercury belongs to a metal of a higher hazard class.
Mercury enters the human body along with the air and quickly accumulates in tissues. The longer a person breathes such air, the more pronounced the negative effect on the body will be.
How to remove a broken thermometer
The best decision is to call a team from the Ministry of Emergency Situations or a specialized service, whose specialists will quickly and efficiently collect toxic metal and protect you. At the same time, they properly dispose of mercury.
If you decide to get rid of the problem yourself, it is important to act according to a clear plan. First, but as quickly as possible, prepare items such as shoe covers and disposable gloves and a mask, a jar of cold water, adhesive tape or tape, a syringe and a sheet of paper or cotton wool.
The algorithm for collecting mercury will look like this: put on a mask, gloves and shoe covers, use paper or cotton wool to collect all the small particles into one and drive it onto a sheet of paper. Next, you need to lower a sheet of paper with mercury into a jar of water and close the lid. After this, you need to open all the windows to properly ventilate the room.
If the thermometer breaks in an inaccessible place, it is better to use a syringe with which to carefully “tighten” the mercury balls.
In order to protect yourself, you need to take breaks while collecting mercury - leave the room every 15 minutes, or better yet, go outside.
What is prohibited to do if the thermometer breaks?
The situation is very serious, and therefore requires the most serious attitude. If you break a thermometer, you absolutely must not:
- open all windows and doors to allow a draft;
- use a vacuum cleaner, rag or broom to clean mercury;
- wash items that have been exposed to metal in the washing machine;
- dispose of mercury in a landfill.
The rules are simple and clear. Following them can save you from fatal mistakes.
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