Tips for Safe Mercury Cleanup

Mercury spills less than or equal to the amount in a thermometer. EPA recommends that the following procedures be followed to clean up mercury spills less than or equal to the amount in a thermometer:

• Remove everyone, including pets, from the area in which cleanup will take place. Do not allow assistance from children.
• IF you are using powdered sulfur, sprinkle it over the spill area at this time. Powdered sulfur may be purchased from laboratory, chemical supply and hazardous materials response supply manufacturers. Please note that powdered sulfur may stain fabrics a dark color. Users should understand the product and how to use it, and should not breathe in the powder.  The sulfur does two things:
• It makes the mercury easier to see, since there is a color change from yellow to brown.
• It keeps the mercury from vaporizing.

What records must be kept on hand and for how long? Find out now with our Free Special Report, Recordkeeping for EHS Managers. Also receive 2 trial issues of BLR’s Environmental Manager’s Compliance Advisor! Download Your Free Report

• Put on rubber or latex gloves.
• If there are any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, pick them up with care. Place all broken objects on a paper towel. Fold the paper towel and place in a Ziplock ® bag. Secure the bag and label the bag accordingly.
• Use a squeegee or piece of cardboard to gather mercury beads. Use slow sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming uncontrollable. Use a flashlight to look for any additional mercury beads that may be sticking to the surface or in small cracked areas of the surface.
• Use the eyedropper to collect or draw up the mercury beads. Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Place the paper towel in a Ziplock® bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag.
• After removing the larger beads, put shaving cream on top of a small paint brush and gently blot the affected area to pick up smaller, hard-to-see beads.  Use sticky tape to pick up any remaining glass fragments.  Place the paint brush and duct tape in a Ziplock® bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag.  
• Place all materials used for the cleanup in a trash bag. Place all mercury beads and objects into the trash bag. Secure trash bag and label bag. Remember to remove gloves and place in trash bag.
• Contact your local health department or your local fire department for proper disposal in accordance with local, state, and federal laws.
• Remember to keep a window open for at least 24 hours after your successful cleanup. Continue to keep pets and children out of cleanup area. If sickness occurs, seek medical attention immediately.
• Mercury can be cleaned up easily from wood, linoleum, tile, and any other like surfaces. If a spill occurs on carpets, curtains, upholstery, or other like surfaces, these contaminated items should be thrown away in accordance with the proper disposal practices. Only cut and remove the affected portion of the contaminated carpet for disposal.

Comply with OSHA and EPA recordkeeping requirements with our free report: Recordkeeping for EHS Managers. Also receive 2 free trial issues of BLR’s Environmental Manager’s Compliance Advisor! Download Your Free Report

Mercury spills more than the amount in a thermometer. EPA recommends that the following procedures be followed to clean up mercury spills more than the amount in a thermometer:

• Isolate the area.
• Turn down temperature.
• Open windows.
• Don’t let anyone walk through the mercury.
• Don’t vacuum.
• Contact a fire department or public health official.

Mercury spills greater than 1 pound (lb) (2 tablespoons). EPA requires that the National Response Center must be contacted any time 1 lb or more of mercury is