If there is a mercury thermometer in the house, it must be under strict control
At temperatures above -39, mercury is in a liquid state. And already at +18° this liquid begins to evaporate.
Mercury vapor is dangerous: getting into the lungs with air, mercury penetrates through the blood into other organs, and, accumulating, can cause severe poisoning.
Signs of mercury poisoning may not appear immediately, but several hours after the thermometer has been broken and the child has inhaled mercury vapor.
Therefore, it is very important not to lose sight of mercury thermometers, and not to leave the baby alone with a thermometer under his arm. Mercury thermometers should be under strict parental supervision.
What to do if the thermometer breaks?
Getting ready to collect mercury
One thermometer contains from 2 to 5 grams of mercury. The permissible level of mercury content should not exceed 0.0003 milligrams per cubic meter of air. Therefore, if the thermometer breaks, it is necessary to collect the mercury as quickly and carefully as possible.
- If possible, you need to reduce the room temperature below +18°C. In the cold season, it is enough to open the window. At the same time, we make sure that there is no draft in the room, otherwise the already evaporated mercury will spread throughout the house.
- We close the doors to prevent children or pets from entering the room.
- We prepare a very strong solution of potassium permanganate at the rate of 20 grams per 10 liters of water. The solution should be dark brown and almost opaque. Pour some of the solution into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- In a separate bucket prepare a soap-soda solution (40 g laundry soap and 50 g of baking soda per liter of water).
- We change into clothes that we don’t mind throwing away and that don’t absorb liquid. The best option– cellophane or rubberized raincoat and rubber gloves. We put a damp cloth bandage on the face.
- We begin the operation to collect mercury. If drops of mercury are spilled on a dense floor, a sheet of paper and a few pieces of plaster or tape will be sufficient. If drops of mercury have poured under the baseboard, you will need more cunning devices, for example, a small enema bulb. All available means, like clothes, will then need to be thrown away.
How to collect mercury
- Place the edge of a sheet of paper under the drop. Shake a drop from the leaf into a jar of potassium permanganate.
- Repeat until we have collected all the drops. We press the smallest ones with the sticky side of the patch or tape.
- We put the tape with the stuck mercury and the sheet of paper that we used to collect the drops into the same jar with potassium permanganate and screw the lid on tightly.
- If drops of mercury have crawled under the baseboard or into some hole, suck them out from there with an enema bulb. Squeeze the drops from the pear into a jar of potassium permanganate (so that the mercury is definitely under the layer of water and does not evaporate). We also throw the enema into the jar and screw on the lid.
- Using a spray bottle, brush or large brush, spray the area where the mercury drops were with a solution of potassium permanganate. The area should become wet. Leave for an hour. After an hour, the potassium permanganate should be washed off with a soap and soda solution. This water can now be poured down the drain.
- We take off our clothes and gloves and roll them into a bag. Everything is thrown away.
- We close the room for a day. After a day, the floor should be washed with plain water.
- We wash our hands, rinse our mouths with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and go look for the phone number of the nearest branch of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station. (The sanitary and epidemiological station specialists will tell you where to take the closed jar of mercury).
- If you're not sure you've collected everything, you can order a demercurization service. This is done by specialists from the SES and private services. They will come, measure the mercury content in the air, and, if necessary, find and remove the mercury that you could not detect. The demercurization service is paid.
- In the room where mercury was collected, ventilate three times a day for 10 minutes to completely get rid of mercury vapor.
Important. If mercury is spilled on fabric, carpet, or on a surface with cracks and holes where it cannot be completely collected, take everyone out of the room, close the door and call demercurization specialists immediately.
It’s better to pay money for the demercurizers to come out than to later nurse the whole family from severe poisoning.
Still important. Contrary to popular belief, pharmacies do not accept or dispose of broken thermometers.
The general procedure for demercurization can be viewed on the website of the bacteriological laboratory at the Moscow Sanitary and Epidemiological Station
How not to remove mercury
What not to do:
- Sweep the mercury with a broom. The broom rods break the metal ball into several smaller ones, making it more difficult to collect them.
- Collect mercury with a vacuum cleaner. During operation, the vacuum cleaner heats up, so mercury evaporation increases. In addition, harmful metal settles inside and must be used household appliance It will no longer be possible to collect garbage. The vacuum cleaner will have to be thrown away. But even in the trash, it will emit mercury vapor and pose a danger to others.
- Wash the clothes in which you removed the mercury. This may lead to harmful metal contamination washing machine. All things that came into contact with mercury will have to be thrown away.
Demercurization is performed in cases where mercury is exposed to the open air and, as a result, dangerous fumes are released. Liquid metal in this state has no odor, which means it will be difficult to detect. As a result, the substance can affect the body for a long time, contributing to the development of severe complications. Therefore, it is important to promptly remove metal if it is exposed to the open air.
This is the name of a set of measures aimed at cleaning surfaces and the entire room from mercury. If you are interested in what this is and how it is carried out, it is necessary to take into account that in such cases the task is to detect metal particles. After its release, balls of small diameter are formed. They are characterized by a silvery tint, which makes them almost invisible on colored surfaces (carpets, beds, etc.).
Demercurization of mercury involves the need to eliminate the metal itself, as well as traces that may remain on the floor and objects. For this, 2 main methods are used:
- mechanical;
- chemical.
In the first case dangerous substance collected and disposed of in accordance with regulations. In this case, improvised means are used (syringe, tape, etc.). Chemical method is based on the use of substances that neutralize traces of metal. Most suitable option selected taking into account the degree of contamination of the object and the volume of mercury. The size of the room plays a role.
Different methods can be combined. This will remove most of the substance and then neutralize traces of it. IN living conditions It is advisable to use only mechanical methods. Sorbents are used in production and industrial facilities. These are special substances designed to precipitate mercury, making the metal less volatile. This measure helps prevent the spread of toxic fumes throughout a large area.
In domestic settings, the scale of the situation in which mercury was released is much smaller. The consequences can be quickly eliminated using available means, but it is important to detect metal balls in a timely manner. Used in apartments and houses chemical method only specialists. The cost of such a service is high, which is due to the need to use expensive substances (sorbents). The reason for the release of mercury in domestic conditions is a violation of the integrity of energy saving lamp, mercury thermometer, pressure gauge.
When metal enters the human body, it is not excreted. It is not metabolized, but accumulates in the tissues of internal organs. The kidneys and liver suffer more than others. The worst-case scenario for the development of such a situation is cancer. Despite this, the substance in liquid form is considered less dangerous compared to exposure to metal vapors. This is due to the fact that mercury in the gaseous state is characterized by high volatility and penetrates the body faster when inhaled.
This is how the fumes enter the blood. As a result, the toxic substance quickly spreads throughout the body, internal organs. Mercury poses the greatest danger to the brain. In this case, intoxication develops. The result this process severe complications may occur, accompanied by disruption of basic body functions, and death.
Mercury vapor poisoning occurs when 5 mg of this substance is released (for example, from a thermometer) and 30 m³ of air space is contaminated. This amount is enough for complications to develop. Mercury vapor poisoning is defined as mercurialism. In this case, the negative impact of the substance on the entire body is implied. Possible symptoms:
- drowsiness;
- frequent fatigue;
- weakening of the body;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- tremor of the upper extremities;
- apathetic state;
- irritability, as a consequence of emotional instability, may simultaneously manifest itself as hyperexcitability and depression.
Accordingly, storing mercury in the home, especially in large quantities, can lead to severe consequences. Appliances containing such metal should be handled with care.
To understand how to proceed further, you need to determine the amount of metal. At home, you can collect the mercury that is released when the thermometer is damaged. In this case, it is enough to follow the instructions and follow the basic rules. In this case, removal always begins with clearing the premises of people. This measure will prevent the spread of metal over other surfaces on the sole of the shoe, and in addition, you can protect family members from intoxication with mercury vapor.
Then you should consult with the Ministry of Emergency Situations by calling 112. If there is a lot of mercury and the room is small, you can immediately contact specialists. This will avoid the risk of making mistakes during the surface cleaning process. When you plan to remove mercury yourself, you should follow the steps of demercurization:
- after people have been removed from the room, the doors must be closed, and the windows, on the contrary, must be opened to eliminate mercury vapor;
- to clean the surface from liquid metal, it is recommended to wear synthetic clothing; this measure will prevent intense absorption of vapors into the woven material;
- put on means personal protection: respirator - it can be replaced with a gauze bandage, if there is no alternative, it is also important to use rubber gloves and not fabric ones;
- prepare available means for collecting liquid metal: a rubber bulb, adhesive tape (tape, band-aid), a large-volume syringe;
- all items made of woven material that have been in contact with heavy metal will need to be collected in plastic bags; when demercurization is completed, they must be taken out into the air, then ensure the possibility of long-term ventilation;
- You should use a source of directional light (a powerful flashlight, a table lamp), which will allow you to detect mercury at any time of the day;
- the liquid metal is collected using tape, a syringe or a rubber bulb, while the balls are moved into a glass jar, which closes tightly; used improvised means are also placed here, since particles of the substance may remain on them;
- The most difficult thing to clean is a fleecy carpet; it should be rolled up and taken outside, but shaking out such a covering is prohibited due to the risk of soil contamination with heavy metals; for this reason, you should lay down a plastic film, balls of mercury will fall on it during the process of gentle knocking out;
- There is always a risk of the substance getting into hard to reach places(under the baseboard, in various crevices), while it is better to use a syringe to clean the surface, however, you often have to first dismantle the removable elements.
If you point a light source at a contaminated surface, you can detect silvery balls. They start to shine. If there is no additional light source, you may miss some areas. Shoes can contribute to the spread of metal throughout the apartment. For this reason, it must be removed when demercurization is completed. Shoes are placed in a plastic bag and taken out into the air, just like woven materials.
In order to neutralize mercury, improvised means are used to clean rooms. They help prevent poisoning from vapors of the substance. Potassium permanganate is used. To remove traces of liquid metal, a concentrated solution is prepared. The substance is taken in an arbitrary quantity. In this case, it is important to obtain a dark brown shade. Salt and acid are added to the liquid. Vinegar is used in everyday life. Recommended ratio of components: 1 liter of solution, 1 tbsp. l. acids and salts.
The disadvantage of using potassium permanganate is the high probability of the formation of complex stains on surfaces. To treat the floor with a solution of potassium permanganate, use a brush or spray bottle. It must be left for 1.5 hours, periodically wetting the surface with water when the liquid begins to dry out. After demercurization, you need to ventilate the room. Processing is carried out over several days. On the second and subsequent days, the liquid is left on the surfaces for half an hour.
An alternative option is to use sulfur. Upon contact with liquid metal, mercury sulfide is formed. This compound does not cause harm to humans. The disadvantage of this method is its low efficiency, since sulfur reacts poorly to mercury when room temperature. Requires high heat. However, it should be taken into account that at elevated temperatures, the harm from liquid metal will increase significantly.
In terms of effectiveness, potassium permanganate is not inferior to chlorine-containing products. They are always at hand. You need to prepare a solution: take 1 liter of bleach and 5 liters of water. Then the surfaces that have been in contact with mercury are treated. The solution is left for 15 minutes, then washed off. The treatment should be carried out for 1 month, and this should be done every day.
Solutions that neutralize mercury vapor
When carrying out demercurization, different chemical substances, helping to reduce the level of danger of mercury vapor. Among them there is a product that you can prepare yourself:
- take 50 g of soda ash, 40 g of laundry soap, 1 liter of water;
- before use, the soap must be grated on a coarse grater;
- the solution begins to be used after the main components have dissolved;
- treatment is carried out over the entire surface, including areas where there are cracks.
The air in the room should be cool, which will enhance the effect of solutions that neutralize mercury vapor.
Cleaning Precautions
When working with liquid metal, you should wear personal protective equipment. If we neglect this rule, the concentration of vapors in the body will increase significantly, since the person is at the epicenter during all manipulations dangerous situation. In winter, windows should be opened to cool the air in the room. In summer, it is not recommended to turn on the air conditioner when closed windows, because mercury vapor will enter the ventilation system. Before starting the surface cleaning procedure, it is recommended to study the instructions to avoid mistakes.
Demercurization in medical institutions
The first action should be to clear the premises of people. The work is performed in protective suits. A solution to neutralize mercury should be prepared in advance. A container is allocated, which is additionally marked: “Demercurization of premises.” It must be filled with a solution that neutralizes the metal in liquid form. This substance is used to treat surfaces after collecting mercury balls. After half an hour, they begin to remove it, using water without additives.
Health care facilities have kits prepared specifically for mercury releases. The kit includes:
- adhesive plaster;
- gauze bandage;
- robe;
- latex gloves;
- containers for preparing a neutralizing solution;
- soap shavings and soda ash in portioned bags.
Thanks to such kits, mercury removal is accelerated various surfaces. After completing the procedure for eliminating traces of heavy metal, you need to take a shower and rinse your mouth with a solution of potassium permanganate (a pale pink liquid is prepared).
Demercurization of an apartment begins with the assembly of metal balls. Then the mercury (its traces on the coatings) is neutralized. Moreover, it is important to remember that the actions are performed in this sequence. This is due to the fact that neutralizing solutions work more effectively when they come into contact with microparticles of mercury.
If they are used on surfaces that have not been previously cleaned, the toxic substances will continue to act for some time. Then you need to dispose of the mercury. To do this, at the first stage, neutralizing solutions are used, and then all containers and materials are transferred to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
What not to do during demercurization
Do not use a vacuum cleaner or rag. In the first case, the intensity of evaporation of the substance will increase significantly. In addition, when mercury is demercurized using a vacuum cleaner, metal particles remain inside the mechanism, which will lead to gradual poisoning of family members. If you clean with a rag, the substance will spread over the surface, which is facilitated by the fibrous structure of the material.
It is also forbidden to use a broom. This will provide the same effect as a vacuum cleaner. A broom will only scatter balls of mercury. As a result, the entire room will have to be cleaned, and there is no guarantee that the substance will be completely collected. You should not try to combine the balls of metal. In this case, other areas of the surface are additionally contaminated. It's better to delete them separately. It is also prohibited to flush liquid metal down the drain.
Do not throw away the used means for collecting mercury balls, as well as the metal itself found on the floor, in the trash. This will lead to soil contamination. You should contact the Ministry of Emergency Situations and hand over collected metal, as well as other materials on which particles of the substance remain.
When you need help from special services
Demercurization services are required if a significant amount of a toxic substance has been released. The greatest danger is posed by concentrated mercury in small rooms in the absence of natural ventilation(storage rooms, etc.). In this case, a demercurization service should operate, since the concentration of heavy metal vapor is significant and does not tend to gradually decrease, as happens when there is a source of fresh air.
In addition, specialists should be invited if mercury has reached an area of the surface from where it is difficult to remove even by dismantling individual elements. There is a high probability that a significant part of the heavy metal will remain in the room and contribute to poisoning. It must be taken into account that the consequences may appear after 10-15 years, since all this time the vapors of the substance will constantly have an effect on the human body.
Demercurization is the removal and neutralization of mercury, cleaning the premises from its traces and eliminating mercury contamination.
We draw your attention to three points:
I. Before reading For these instructions, please read the article. Because the main thing is BEFORE When treating a contaminated area, you first need to be very careful and correct COLLECT the mercury itself.
II. All further advice applies to eliminating the consequences of minor mercury contamination (for example, from a broken thermometer). But even in this case and, even more so, in case of serious pollution (when spilled a large number of mercury) it will be better if demercurization is carried out by accredited specialists. Don't risk your health!
III. Now let’s talk about how to eliminate the consequences of mercury pollution.
After mercury from a broken thermometer correctly and carefully assembled, it is necessary to treat the site of the mercury spill with a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate and (or) bleach (in common parlance - bleach). This will oxidize the mercury and render it non-volatile (the purpose of this is to prevent harmful health effects).
Attention! Cleaning with bleach more preferred compared to the use of potassium permanganate, since chlorine is more chemically active and will therefore react more effectively with mercury.
Demercurization option No. 1: Cleaning the contaminated area using potassium permanganate
1. An aqueous solution of potassium permanganate should be dark brown, almost opaque.
The solution may leave residue on the floor or things. indelible stains!
Per liter of solution you need to add 1 tbsp. l. salts and some acid (for example, 1 tablespoon of vinegar essence, or a pinch of citric acid, or a spoonful of rust remover).
2. Treat the contaminated surface (and all its crevices!) the resulting solution using a brush, broom or spray bottle.
Leave the applied solution for 1-2 hours, periodically wetting the treated surface with water as the solution dries.
3. Then wash off the reaction products soap and soda solution(for 1 liter of water - 40 g of soap and 50 g of soda).
Repeat this procedure over the next few days, with the only difference being that you keep the potassium permanganate solution for less time, and not 1-2 hours.
Demercurization option No. 2: Cleaning the contaminated area using bleach
Demercurization using bleach takes place in 2 stages.
Stage 1: in a plastic (not metal!) container, prepare a solution of CHLORINE-containing bleach “Belizna” at the rate of 1 liter of “Belizna” per 5 liters of water (17% solution). Please note that there is also OXYGEN-containing “Whiteness” on sale, but it will not work! Rinse the contaminated surface with the resulting solution, using a sponge, brush or cloth. Pay special attention to the cracks of parquet and baseboards.
Leave the applied solution for 15 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
Stage 2: Re-washing the floor with a chlorine-containing solution is best done several times over the next 2-3 weeks.
Because When the solution is first used, it becomes contaminated with mercury; it is better not to pour it into the sink or toilet, but to hand it over along with the collected mercury. The same goes for rags, etc. How, why and where -.
Don’t forget about ventilating the room. But keep in mind that at low temperatures (when the room is constantly “frozen out” through a wide open window), the evaporation of mercury drops sharply, i.e. it evaporates more slowly from the room. Therefore, the ideal option is to keep the window slightly open for a long time.
DEMERCURIZATION
When monitoring the functional state of the patient, for diagnostic purposes, for prevention nosocomial infection Measurement of human body temperature using a “thermometer” - a medical thermometer - is used. But a medical thermometer can also be a major source of mercury contamination.
Mercury was known to people already in the 2nd millennium BC. Alchemists called it Mercurius, thereby emphasizing its closeness to the king of metals - gold. The planet Mercury is located closest to the Sun, whose symbol is gold.
Demercurization- removal of mercury and its compounds by physical-chemical or by mechanical means in order to prevent poisoning of people, the accident site where the thermometer broke is treated with a demercutant solution.
Demercutizers- these are chemicals, the use of which reduces the rate of mercury evaporation and facilitates the mechanical removal of mercury.
Demercutizers include:
- soap-soda solution (4% soap solution in 5% aqueous soda solution);
- 0.2% aqueous solution of potassium permanganate, acidified with hydrochloric acid (5 ml of acid, specific gravity 1.19, per 1 liter of potassium permanganate solution);
- 20% bleach solution;
- 5-10% solution of hydrochloric acid, etc.
Laying composition for demercurization
Emergency situation - the thermometer broke
Nurse tactics:
1. Remove people from the room where the thermometer broke.
2. Put on special clothing.
3. Prepare a demercutizer solution: 40 g of laundry soap shavings + 50 g of soda ash + 1 liter of water (temperature 50 0 C).
4. The prepared demercurization solution is poured into a container marked “For demercurization.” The mercury is collected from the contaminated surface with an adhesive bandage. Adhesive plaster with mercury and broken thermometer soak with complete immersion in containers with a demercutant solution and close with a lid.
5. The prepared soap-soda solution is poured into the place where the thermometer broke; exposure 30 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes, the room is routinely cleaned and the room is ventilated.
7. A container containing mercury in a soap and soda solution is handed over to the head nurse.
EMERGENCY DEMERCURIZATION IN HOUSEHOLD CONDITIONS
Mercury belongs to the 1st class of hazard substances, has a good ability to evaporate, so its vapors are especially harmful, and of course, long-term stay in rooms contaminated with mercury vapors is not safe for health. The most common sources of mercury contamination in residential areas are broken thermometers and fluorescent lamps. We present the sequence of actions when carrying out demercurization using the example of a broken thermometer.
1. Take everyone out of the apartment, especially children, and close front door to prevent the spread of vapors.
2. Open the windows throughout the apartment and try to reduce the temperature in the room.
3. Cover the area where the mercury has scattered with wet newspapers. Collect all things (clothes, linen, carpets, etc.) that could have gotten drops of mercury into plastic bags and take them out to the balcony or garage.
4. Close the door to the room where the thermometer was broken, leaving open window. Continue to intensively ventilate the apartment for at least another 30 - 40 minutes. After this, you can slightly close the windows and bring people into the apartment.
In order to do demercurization on your own, you need to prepare:
Glass jar(100-400 ml) with a tight lid to collect mercury and contaminated materials;
Gauze bandage or respirator;
- large plastic bags for collecting items that may be contaminated;
- a thick needle or knitting needle, a medical syringe, a bulb with fine tip;
- medical cotton wool, pieces of plaster, a sheet of thick paper, rags;
- rubber gloves;
- table lamp with extension cord;
- chemicals with oxidizing (disinfecting or bleaching) properties and containing chlorine compounds (chlorinol, assortment, whiteness, etc.). Potassium permanganate or iodine solution may be useful from the first aid kit.
Trying not to trample or spread the mercury around the apartment.
It is better to wear clothes made of synthetic materials (sports jacket or windbreaker) as they are less contaminated with mercury vapor.
The most important and difficult part of demercurization is the collection of mercury droplets.
Do not wipe spilled mercury with a rag (this will only lead to further fragmentation of the mercury). We do not recommend using a vacuum cleaner for this. Firstly, the vacuum cleaner heats up and increases the evaporation of mercury, and secondly, air passes through the engine of the vacuum cleaner, and an amalgam is formed on the engine parts, which are made of non-ferrous metals, after which the vacuum cleaner itself becomes a distributor of mercury vapor.
First of all, it is necessary to conduct a thorough inspection of things and surfaces on which drops of mercury could fall. When inspecting things and surfaces, you need to illuminate them with a lamp, then even the smallest drops will be clearly visible. If mercury gets on the carpet or carpeting, then you need to carefully roll up the carpet, from the periphery to the center, so that the mercury balls do not scatter throughout the room.
It is advisable to place the carpet in a whole plastic bag or simply wrap it in plastic film, also from the periphery to the center, and take it outside. Then hang up the carpet or carpeting, and lay a cellophane film underneath it to prevent mercury from contaminating the soil and knock out the carpet with gentle blows. It is also necessary to give the carpet or carpeting hang and ventilate in the fresh air for 3 - 3.5 months in the warm season after vigorous shaking out. Mechanical and chemical methods of demercurization of soft things are not effective.
Do not take the shoes in which you walked around the room where mercury was spilled outside of this room, and if you take it out, then only in a plastic bag or sealed container, since particles of mercury attach to your feet and you can spread mercury throughout the apartment.
When inspecting the floor, especially parquet, you can pre-mark with chalk or pencil the places where drops of mercury are found. Try not to step on contaminated areas so that drops of mercury do not get on your shoes. You should start collecting mercury with the largest drops; large drops are collected with a rubber bulb. For this purpose, use a sheet of thick paper, pre-folded on one side. To roll drops onto a sheet of paper, use a knitting needle or a thick needle. By moving the drop with a sheet of paper, it can be connected to other drops and then one large drop can be transferred to a jar. To make the drops better visible, the surface to be cleaned should be illuminated from the side with a table lamp. Pieces of plaster can be used to collect the smallest drops. Droplets of mercury can be collected using paper napkins soaked in regular sunflower oil. The mercury beads will stick to the oily area. You can also soak newspaper in water and apply the resulting slurry to the site of the mercury spill.
Everything collected and what was used to collect it (rubber bulb, adhesive plaster, broken thermometer) is placed in an enamel or glassware filled with demercutant solution and tightly closed with a lid. The collected mercury can be handed over to the local sanitary and epidemiological inspection (they can also be invited to analyze the air for the presence of mercury vapor).
As a last resort, a patch, napkin, or newspaper with adhering drops can be placed in a jar of water. . When stirred, the paper will float and the mercury will settle to the bottom. Some drops can be removed from the cracks with a knitting needle and a cotton swab wrapped around it. In this case, it is better to moisten the tampon with a solution of potassium permanganate or disinfectant. A tampon with adhering drops of mercury is also placed in a jar. It is convenient to remove mercury from the cracks using a medical syringe with a thick needle (bulb with a thin tip). If there is a suspicion that mercury has gotten behind the baseboard or under the parquet floorboards, they must be removed. Sometimes collecting mercury can take several hours, so every 10 - 15 minutes you should take breaks and go out into the fresh air. Collected mercury should be handled carefully.
Under no circumstances should it be thrown into the toilet or garbage disposal. This will lead to new stains that are very difficult to remove. A jar of collected mercury can be temporarily placed on a balcony or in a garage, and then handed over to representatives of the district department of civil defense and emergency situations, who are OBLIGED to accept it from you.
After all visible drops of mercury have been collected, contaminated items, including those in which work was carried out, have been removed from the premises, you can proceed to the second stage of work - chemical demercurization.
As already mentioned, you can use chemicals available at home for this. Most accessible remedy For demercurization, which is available in every first aid kit, this is “potassium permanganate”; a soap-soda solution is also suitable. The greatest effectiveness is achieved by alternate use of both agents. To prepare a 0.2% aqueous solution of potassium permanganate, you need to dissolve 20 g of it in a bucket of water. For a one-time treatment, we recommend preparing about a liter of demercurization solution, for which you pour water into a jar and add a few crystals of potassium permanganate to a dark brown, almost opaque state. Next, using a brush, a brush, or a spray bottle, apply the solution to the place where the mercury was collected, focusing Special attention cracks where you can pour a small amount of solution. Work should be carried out with rubber gloves. The applied solution should be left for 6-8 hours, periodically wetting the treated surface with water as the solution dries. Then you should thoroughly rinse the treated surface using a soap (soap-soda solution (4% soap in a 5% aqueous soda solution) and wet clean the entire apartment. This activity should be carried out over the next few days, with the only difference being that the solution " leave potassium permanganate for 1 hour, not 6-8 hours.
Another most harmless and affordable way demercurization of premises is as follows: walls and floors are treated with a 1% iodine solution (for 1 liter of water, 100 ml of a 10% iodine solution, which is sold in a pharmacy). After 30 minutes, the area is treated with the following solution: copper sulfate CuSO 4 (30 g of copper sulfate per 1 liter of water), sodium sulfite Na 2 SO 3 · 7H 2 O (180 g per 1 liter of water) and sodium bicarbonate NaHCO 3 (baking soda, 40 g per 1 liter of water). The solution is prepared in the following way: first, copper sulfate and sodium sulfite are mixed with water until the precipitate is completely dissolved, and then baking soda is added.
Also, treatment (washing) of contaminated surfaces is carried out with an aqueous solution of bleach, chloramine or any chlorine-containing solution. detergent. Wash starts from the periphery and ends with the most contaminated areas of the surface. The procedure is repeated for 4–5 days in a row, once every day. For each subsequent procedure, use a new rag. Don't use the same rag twice.
Further measures are preventive in nature. These are daily wet cleaning rooms and frequent ventilation. Experience shows that if you carefully follow the recommendations, in most cases within 2-3 weeks it is possible to completely clear the apartment of mercury contamination, but in any case, checking the quality of work using devices will not be superfluous.
Indication of the degree of contamination is carried out using palladium indicator paper, as well as using special instruments. Old devices of the AGP series (AGP - 01; AGP - 01 M, etc.). Now measurements are carried out using more modern device RA 915+.
ATTENTION!
Most cases of mercury spills from broken medical thermometers indoors are due to the carelessness of children!
Keep mercury-containing devices out of the reach of children.
Measure children's temperature using a mercury thermometer only under the constant supervision of an adult.
Excerpt - Sanitary and epidemiological rules and regulations SanPiN 2.1.3.2630-10.
