Department of University Safety

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Department of University Safety Assurances
Mercury Spill CleanupProcedures
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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

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Mercury is a Toxic Substance

• 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

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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

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Who do you Contact?

• 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.

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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.

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Contain Spill

• 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.

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Restricted Area

• 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.

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Temporary Control

• 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.

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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.

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Mercury Vacuum

• A special vacuum cleaner, which is designed to
  pick up mercury droplets safely, is available for
  cleanup.
• NEVER use a regular vacuum.

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Location of Mercury Vacuum

• Chemistry Department
• Second floor stockroom.
• Contact the stockroom personnel when needed.
• Other departments
• Contact University Safety Assurances (x6339)
  for assistance with spill clean-up.

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Use of Mercury Vacuum

• 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.

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Other Cleanup Tools

• A side-arm flask connected to a vacuum pump or
  sink aspirator can be used to vacuum up small
  beads.

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Other Cleanup Tools

• Wet toweling to consolidate small beads into
  larger pieces for vacuuming
• Commercial spill kits
• Disposable
• eyedropper
• Adhesive tape
• Cardboard

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Special Care

• Special attention must be given to cleaning
  cracks and crevices where the mercury beads may
  have easily settled.

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Mercury Waste

• 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.

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Disposal

• 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.

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Assistance After Hours

• 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).

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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.

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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.

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Summary

• 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.