Uh-oh... Mercury in the tank

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I know the use of mercury has been banned in most parts of the us..couldn't say about other places.
 
It is 100% mercury, I can assure you. Prolonged exposure will affect you yes, the amount inside a thermometer isn't really something to get frantic about. I did the best I can in cleaning it up, I'm airing my room out and taking the best measures I can.

The whole 'don't touch it you'll die!' attitude isn't accurate. Your skin takes hours to soak it into your bloodstream, you would have to be playing with a lot of it for a very long time. Eating it is actually less dangerous then inhaling the vapour. When mercury is heated up, it turns into vapour. This vapour is the killer. Now, I did everything you're not meant to do with a mercury spill - however, it's such a small amount that it's not going to affect me.

I can't remember who, but a well-known scientist/inventor in Medieval history played with mercury for 40 years, when he died it was discovered he had mercury poisoning - but that's not even what he died of.

As for a fish, different story.
 
Mark1092 said:
It is 100% mercury, I can assure you. Prolonged exposure will affect you yes, the amount inside a thermometer isn't really something to get frantic about. I did the best I can in cleaning it up, I'm airing my room out and taking the best measures I can.

The whole 'don't touch it you'll die!' attitude isn't accurate. Your skin takes hours to soak it into your bloodstream, you would have to be playing with a lot of it for a very long time. Eating it is actually less dangerous then inhaling the vapour. When mercury is heated up, it turns into vapour. This vapour is the killer. Now, I did everything you're not meant to do with a mercury spill - however, it's such a small amount that it's not going to affect me.

I can't remember who, but a well-known scientist/inventor in Medieval history played with mercury for 40 years, when he died it was discovered he had mercury poisoning - but that's not even what he died of.

As for a fish, different story.
+1
Agree, also mercury is still present in many electronics in the USA, such as old thermostats, nowadays has been replaced for other type of technology, mainly because the cost versus the harm that represents.
 
Mercury poisoning is usually
a slow killer. The main concern is inhaling the vapors of true metallic mercury (different than the methyl-mercury you get from eating animals who have ingested mercury i.e. Tuna and other large fish. Animals who ingest mercury create methyl-mercury which can in turn, and in high doses, cause neurological, developmental, and reproductive delays in any animal eating the original mercury exposed animal.) True Mercury poisoning shows in symptoms such as hair loss, rashes, tremors, and persistent unexplained open sores over the body sores. It can cause delusions, memory loss and other neurological problems in high enough doses. It is usually not absorbed quickly through the skin but can be very dangerous if it is inhaled. Long story made short... Please be very careful in your clean up and if you start exhibiting any strange skin lesions or rashes, seek help and let your doctor know that you had a mercury spill in your home. It can linger for years and continue to build up in your system. Small children and pets can be especially susceptible. The symptoms are sporadic and actual mercury poisoning uncommon enough that it makes it very complicated to diagnose, especially early on.
 
Why don't I just rip up the carpet, sell the house, quarantine off the street and go into isolation for 5 years? I understand what you're saying, but if you ask any 60 year old they'll tell you they've broken countless mercury thermometers in their lifetime and never did anything about it - and I'm aware the vapour is dangerous, the likelihood of my developing mercury poisoning from a broken thermometer would probably be a very rare story. I will definitely go to the doctor is strange things happen, and thanks for your concern. Don't worry about it.
 
Whoa there! I think from what I have read that the general concencus is that you will be fine. I think the last few posts were just an indicator as to what to look out for, not a suggestion that you should become some kind of hermit. Maybe you should be grateful that so many people give a monkeys.
 
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It's too hard to convey emotion through type, you need to imagine me saying that with no ill feeling towards anyone etc. Judging from what some people have said on other websites, selling my house would be the best option! I am grateful. We're definitely off-topic now haha.
 
Well off topic lol. As for selling your house.... is the equity in your favour? *grin*
 
Yeah haha. I was thinking of trying to sell the tank, but that would be mean... The eBay description would have to include 'may contain traces of mercury'. I've learnt my lesson in any case, don't fool around with glass mercury thermometers. I still challenge anyone here to beat my bad-luck list that can be found at the start of this thread!
 
It is a pretty hefty list! Broken any mirrors lately? On the bright side maybe you've more than had your share and the future is bright.
 
Mark... Wasn't suggesting you overreact nor did I intend to make it sound as though I would lose any sleep. Just wanted to offer some good advice as to what to look for. Spent over a decade working in a hospital as a lab specialist and have first hand experience with acute mercury poisoning. Took about 6 weeks to finally diagnose while a child suffered through countless lab tests, hair loss and hideous rashes with acute skin peeling. Mom and dad had forgotten about the mercury thermometer that had been broken and haphazardly cleaned up in the child's bedroom floor some time before. Heavy metal poisoning is very rare and is not something the doctors here routinely test for unless alerted to the possibility. It takes repeated exposure to cause that kind of toxicity and most adults never become symptomatic. Just a simple informational post. Better luck to you.
 
Ok, thanks Maya. As I said, it's very difficult to convey emotion through type... No one can see your face! I was trying to make a joke about selling the house, didn't come out right... Or didn't type out right haha. I tried to clean it up as much as I could, I spent 3 hours with a torch and duct tape, I've also had my window wide open 24/7 for the last 3 days. Think that's all I can do really!

What if we BBQ in the street Panther?
 
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