Place all broken objects on a paper towel. Follow the steps in this flier to clean up the spill. It may be supplied as mercury vapor absorbent in mercury spill kits, which can be purchased from laboratory, chemical supply and hazardous materials response supply manufacturers. Because of the large amount of mercury contained in these items, there is the potential for greater exposure to mercury vapour during clean-up activities. Contamination of laboratory spaces from historic mercury spills is also common. EPA requires that the National Response Center must be contacted any time 1 lb or more of mercury is released into the environment. Whenever possible, spills of LIQUID hazardous drugs will be handled by employees in the area of the spill. Any time one pound or more of mercury is released to the environment, it is mandatory to call the National Response Center (NRC). Mercury Spills. • For spills larger than a few milliliters, treat as a major spill. A broken light fixture, while not spread out, is a risk to employees because the dust very readily spreads and can be inhaled. Re-clean the spill site and perimeter if necessary. Mercury Quick Facts Cleaning up Mercury Spills in Your House February, 2009 If a thermometer or other small mercury-containing item such as a thermostat or compact fluorescent light bulb breaks, you may be able to clean it up yourself. Cleaning Up a Small Mercury Spill (PDF, 467KB, 4pg.) Emergency petroleum spill waste management. When the site is secured and the information recorded, contact the Hazardous Material Coordinator at 392-8400 to discuss clean-up options. An appropriate respirator must be worn at all times, unless air sampling determines the level to be consistently below 0.025 mg/m3. 0
If you spill a large amount of mercury, follow these steps to protect yourself. Assessing and cleaning complex spills requires specialized equipment, knowledge and training. MANAGEMENT UNIT (UPMU) SOP No. Elemental mercury is a commonly used toxic material. When a mercury spill occurs on carpeting, it is necessary to remove the contaminated carpeting. thermometers with mercury-free alternatives where possible. 5: Mercury 29 Spill Response Guide No. Note that because mercury is heavy, only two tablespoons of mercury weigh about one pound. The NRC hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Electronic or mechanical thermometers or manometers can be used in place of mercury filled devices. This filter is kept wrapped in plastic to preserve its length of service. These procedures will disperse mercury droplets, increase the airborne level of mercury vapor and contaminate the equipment used. Approximately 42% of these mercury spills were estimated to involve <0.5 pound (i.e., 1 tablespoon) of mercury, 33% involved >0.5 pound, and 25% involved an unknown amount. Do not mix these items with any free mercury you may have collected. Place sponges, used powder, rags, shoe covers, and anything used for the cleanup into a plastic bag for disposal. Label all containers appropriately. Call the Hazardous Waste division at 392-8400 to arrange for disposal. Generation and implementation of effective emergency response and spill control procedures are fundamental aspects of a safety management system. Mercury Response Guidebook March 2019. 500 0 obj
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Call Purdue Police at (765) 494-8221 after business hours to report the spill. A quarter of the mercury spills resulted in an official evacuation, and children aged <18 years were present in at least 35% of the events. Remember : The best way to avoid a mercury spill is to limit the presence of mercury-containing items in your home. If the mercury spill is The preferred way to collect mercury is to dust the area of the spill with mercury absorbing powder. Each facility should have two or three kits that are replaced once used. An industrial hygienist, along with a user representative, must be involved in this decision process. Oxidized mercury accumulates in the kidneys. Use caution and wear disposable shoe coverings so you do not contaminate your shoes with mercury during the clean-up. Call (800) 424-8802. Mercury Quick Facts Cleaning up Mercury Spills in Your House February, 2009 If a thermometer or other small mercury-containing item such as a thermostat or compact fluorescent light bulb breaks, you may be able to clean it up yourself. If the spill is determined to be a simple spill, it should be cleaned-up immediately using the mercury spill kit. If you spill a large amount of mercury, follow these steps to protect yourself. It is often more practical to dispose of contaminated items that are not easily cleaned. Refer to the ACC Hazardous Materials Flow Chart before taking any action to report or clean up a spill. Note that you should not clean up large mercury spills … Liquid mercury vaporizes (evaporates) at room temperature causing elevated levels of mercury in indoor air. After business hours, contact UF Police Department at 392-1111. h�b```���B�@��(�����"0A��1�1G������-U�?�N��[ն)VM�d֒Ñ�!3�U��9�;:@CG�FGSG�n��bL�����
�L5R b*t�8�f\¬Ħ�k ��UC�$f�olN?``���P���%H3200���Lj@���At�g�+��"Ӻ(�:F � Q56! If meticulous cleaning is unable to reduce the airborne concentrations below 0.013 mg/m3, a level below 0.025 mg/m3 may be designated. At the end of the job, monitor the exhaust of the mercury vacuum with the mercury vapor analyzer to determine if the mercury filter has become saturated. If the mercury spill is Biological spill b. Beads or puddles of mercury may be recovered with the vacuum or hand pump if it is available. If there are large beads or puddles of free mercury, cover these with mercury absorbing powder and mist to dampen and form a solid mercury-metal amalgam. Work carefully, it is easy to miss contamination, or spread the contamination when the clean-up work is rushed. 4) Mercury Spill Management Spill kits are essential for the management of mercury spills and breakages. Check with the Environmental Health and Safety Director’s office before making this call. 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