Mercury Cleanup, Lab Mercury

Department of University Safety &
Assurances
Mercury Spill Cleanup
Procedures
US&A (v. 2/07)
Mercury is a Hazardous Material
Mercury (Hg) is a
hazardous material
as defined by:
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
Wisconsin
Department of
Natural Resources
U.S. Dept. of
Transportation
US&A (v. 2/07)
Mercury poisoning can result in
severe health problems affecting
the nervous system and other
organs.
Tremors
Changes in vision or hearing
Insomnia
Weakness
Difficulty with memory
Headaches
Irritability
Shyness and nervousness
Acrodynia (painful extremities), a
condition caused by chronic exposure to
mercury
Mercury is a Toxic Substance
US&A (v. 2/07)
Mercury Exposure & Prevention
Routes of exposure
Inhalation
Main hazard
Evaporates releasing
hazardous vapors
Skin absorption
Personal Protective
Equipment Required
Nitrile gloves
Safety glasses
Closed-toed shoes
Lab coat
US&A (v. 2/07)
Questions regarding mercury or
spill procedures should directed to:
Professor
Laboratory supervisor
Own supervisor
UWM Department of Safety &
Assurances at x6339
Note: Any release greater than one
pound (two tablespoons) to the
environment is a Reportable
Quantity.
Who do you Contact?
US&A (v. 2/07)
Spills
Prevention is the best
way to handle mercury
spills.
All mercury "spills,"
including droplets of
mercury from a broken
lab thermometer, must
be cleaned up following
safe and
environmentally sound
procedures.
US&A (v. 2/07)
Prevent the spread of
mercury.
Trays should be used under
equipment wherever a
mercury spill is possible.
Mercury beads can splash
and roll around.
Prevent mercury from
entering cracks, crevices,
and drains.
Do not walk in area of spill.
Evacuate room via route
away from spill.

Contain Spill
US&A (v. 2/07)
Cease activities.
Secure the area around the
spill, so the mercury does not
get "tracked" or "kicked"
around.
Keep the area restricted until
the entire spill is cleaned up.
Lower room temperature to
reduce evaporation.
Restricted Area
US&A (v. 2/07)
Spill powder may be
used as a temporary
control measure.
Commercial spill kits.
Mix 85 grams of finely
powdered Sodium
Thiosulfate with 15
grams of finely
powdered EDTA.

Temporary Control
US&A (v. 2/07)
Temporary Control
Cover from the perimeter of the spill
toward the center.
Do not walk through the spill or spill
powder.
Pick-up glass and other large debris,
then clean up mercury.
All debris must be disposed of as
hazardous waste.
US&A (v. 2/07)
A special vacuum
cleaner, which is
designed to pick up
mercury droplets
safely, is available for
cleanup.
NEVER use a regular
vacuum.

Mercury Vacuum
US&A (v. 2/07)
Chemistry Department:
Second floor stockroom.
Contact the stockroom
personnel when needed.
Other departments:
Contact University Safety
& Assurances (x6339) for
assistance with spill clean-
up.
Location of Mercury Vacuum
US&A (v. 2/07)
The stockroom
personnel will clean up
the spill.
You may be trained in
the proper use of the
mercury vacuum.
UWM Department of
Safety & Assurances
staff may also be
called for assistance.
Use of Mercury Vacuum
US&A (v. 2/07)
Other Cleanup Tools
A side-arm flask connected to a vacuum pump or
sink aspirator can be used to vacuum up small
beads.

US&A (v. 2/07)
Other Cleanup Tools
Wet toweling to consolidate small beads into larger
pieces for vacuuming
Commercial spill kits
Disposable
eyedropper
Adhesive tape
Cardboard

US&A (v. 2/07)
Special attention
must be given to
cleaning cracks
and crevices
where the
mercury beads
may have easily
settled.
Special Care
US&A (v. 2/07)
Includes the mercury
and all waste materials
contaminated with
mercury.
Gloves and other
contaminated debris.
Must be placed in a
labeled leak-proof,
polyethylene container.

Mercury Waste
US&A (v. 2/07)
No mercury,
including broken
thermometers, may
be disposed of in the
normal trash or into
the sewer system.
UWM Hazardous
Waste Manager
(x4999) will properly
dispose of all waste.
Disposal
US&A (v. 2/07)
After Hours:

If no help is available,
contact the University
Police.
9-911 in an emergency
(229-9911 by cell phone)
x4627 if non-emergency.
Explain that you have a
mercury spill.

Indicate whether the spill
is small, a broken
thermometer, or large,
more than 1 or 2 ml (1/4
teaspoon).
Assistance After Hours
US&A (v. 2/07)
Assistance After Hours
The police will contact a
University Safety &
Assurances staff member for
assistance.
If the spill is large or if it
must be cleaned up right
away, you will be directed to:
Secure the area.
Wait until response personnel
arrive (usually 30 to 60
minutes).
The area will be secured/off-
limits until the next working
day.
US&A (v. 2/07)
Special Consideration
Large spills, spills in
confined areas with
poor ventilation, or
spills in areas heated
above room
temperature must be
addressed by trained
personnel with
protective equipment.
A risk of high exposure
to mercury vapors can
occur in these
situations.

US&A (v. 2/07)
Mercury spills are very disruptive.
Lab personnel are encouraged to use
extreme caution when using mercury or
mercury-containing apparatus.
Thorough decontamination is essential
to ensure both personal safety and
protection of the environment.
Summary

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