What to do if the thermometer broke

What to do if the thermometer broke

If you dropped the mercury thermometer and it crashed, do not panic. Correct actions will help you to quickly eliminate the consequences and prevent complications.

Danger of a broken thermometer

The danger of a broken thermometer is related to the penetration of mercury into the external environment. Mercury is a metal whose evaporation is harmful to all living organisms.
2 grams of mercury, which are contained in the thermometer, have a negative effect on humans. If a person inhales mercury for a long time, the central nervous system breaks down, which leads to a state of delirium and mental retardation. The ingress of mercury into the body provokes destructive effects on the brain, kidneys, lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system.
 Symptoms of poisoning:
  • irritation of the nervous system;
  • taste of metal in the mouth;
  • increased body temperature;
  • severe fatigue;
  • irritability;
  • loss of sensitivity of the limbs;
  • headache and dizziness;
  • nausea;
  • bloody diarrhea;
  • vomiting.

Types of thermometers

All thermometers are divided into three types:
  • Mercury is the most accurate, but the most fragile.
  • Electronic works on battery, shows inaccurate body temperature, safe.
  • Infrared is a novelty in the market. Shows the exact body temperature without touching the skin. Operates on batteries or battery.
The most dangerous thermometer is mercury. It contains not only mercury, but also a glass flask, which, if damaged, can injure you.

What to do if the thermometer broke

If the thermometer broke with mercury, you need to react quickly.
  1. Remove the children and animals from the room.
  2. Close the door tightly and open the window wide.
  3. Wear rubber gloves and bags on shoes.
  4. Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth bandage.
  5. Collect mercury balls with a syringe, rubber pear for syringe or tape. To collect mercury rubber pear, squeeze all the air and suck balls one by one, immediately placing them from the pear into a jar of water. To collect the balls with adhesive tape, glue it over them. Fold the adhesive tape with the balls in a double sticky side inward.
  6. Do not use a vacuum cleaner or a broom to collect mercury beads.
  7. Place all the collected mercury in a jar of water and close it tightly.
  8. Process the place where the thermometer broke with water with bleach, or potassium permanganate. Manganese neutralizes the effect of mercury.
  9. Give the bank with mercury to the Ministry of Emergency Situations employees.
  10. Ventilate the room well.

If the thermometer broke on the carpet

If the thermometer is broken on the carpet, remove mercury balls from it, treat the place with manganese, and dispose of the carpet. Whatever the nap on the carpet, you can not collect all the particles of mercury. Such a carpet will become a dangerous source of harmful fumes.
You can give the carpet to dry cleaning, but the cost of removing all traces of manganese and mercury particles will be equal to the cost of the carpet.

What can not be done with a broken thermometer

  1. Throw in garbage or dig in the ground.
  2. Throw out mercury anywhere or pour into the toilet.
  3. If the thermometer is broken in the apartment, you can not make drafts for airing.
  4. Remove mercury balls with your bare hands.
  5. Postpone the cleaning of the broken thermometer for later. The longer evaporation is carried out, the stronger will be the poisoning of man and the atmosphere.
A broken mercury thermometer is not a cause for concern if you react quickly and correctly.

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