1. Introduction
Mercury

2. The Magic Metal- Mercury and It’s Hidden Dangers
Play Video
The Magic Metal- Mercury and It’s Hidden Dangers

3. Introduction
Developed for Western Wayne County Fire Department Mutual Aid Association
For
First Responders
Community

4. Introduction to Mercury
Mercury Physical Properties
Mercury Exposure and Health Effects
Who to Notify if a Mercury Spill Occurs
Mercury Spills: All Eyes on You
Mercury Awareness Case Studies

5. Prevention and Reduction
Mercury in Your Home
Mercury in Schools
Mercury in Healthcare Industry
Mercury for Religious and Medicinal Purposes
Mercury in Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry
Mercury Disposal Options

6. Spill Response Initial Actions Small Spill Information
Large Spill Information
Resources and Responsibilities
Funding and Grants
Monitoring Instruments
Air Sampling Method and Equipment
OSPPERA Quick Reference Guide

7. General Reference Information
Web Resources for Mercury Information
Multi-Media Mercury Information
Boilerplate SOG’s on Mercury
Mercury Q & A
Contractor list
Check list

8. Mercury- Periodic Table
Play Video
Mercury- Periodic Table

9. What is mercury? Naturally occurring metal Shiny, silver-white
Odorless liquid at room temperature
Vapor is odorless and colorless
Insoluble in water
Mercury is also known as “Quicksilver” or “Liquid Silver”

10. Types of mercury: Elemental mercury Inorganic mercury or mercury salt
Organic mercury (most commonly from methyl mercury)

11. Physical Properties of Elemental Mercury:
Symbol: Hg
Atomic mass:200.59
Boiling point:674.6
Freezing point:-38.2
Specific gravity: 13.5
Vapor pressure: mm Hg
Vapor density:6.93

12. Mercury Exposure and Health Effects

13. How can I be exposed to mercury?
Common routes
Inhalation
Ingestion
absorption
Common exposure pathways
Eating fish or shellfish
vapors in air from spills, incinerators, and industries
Absorption through the skin

14. How can mercury affect my health?
Short-term exposure
Lung damage, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increases in blood pressure
heart rate, skin rashes, and eye irritation
Effects may be delayed.

15. How can mercury affect my health?
Long-term exposure
Permanently damage the central nervous system, kidneys, and developing fetuses.
Symptoms may include irritability, tremors, weakness, cognitive disturbances, and memory problems

16. Is there a medical test to determine mercury exposure?
Blood or urine samples are used to test for exposure to mercury
For more information, visit

17. Who to Notify if a Mercury Spill Occurs
Quick notification
first step in cleaning up the mercury
Spill occurs
Business, Residence, environment
“reportable quantity” of 1 pound
(slightly over 2 tablespoons)

18. Who to Notify if a Mercury Spill Occurs
National Response Center
National Response Center:(800)
EPA, USCG
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
24 hour Pollution Emergency Alert System (PEAS) (800)
Local health department
Fire department

19. Mercury Awareness Case Studies

20. Mercury Awareness Case Studies
1989 Lincoln Park, Michigan
first residential mercury emergency responses in U.S. EPA Region 5.
individual was smelting dental amalgams in his home to recover silver
released high levels of mercury vapors
four adult residents died

21. Mercury Awareness Case Studies
1989 Lincoln Park, Michigan
Initial cleanup activities consisted of using charcoal filters to remove mercury vapors from the air. After 1 month, 70 pounds of mercury were removed from the air, and the decision was made to demolish the house.
total clean-up cost was more than $325,000.

22. Mercury Awareness Case Studies
1993 Nova, Ohio
rental property
family recently moved into
discovered mercury spilled throughout the basement
mother was misinformed that mercury was not dangerous as long they didn’t touch it

23. Mercury Awareness Case Studies
1993 Nova, Ohio
three children required chelation therapy.
8 fluid ounces of mercury has spilled
All possessions in the house were disposed of
treated with a mercury vapor suppressant
sealed with epoxy paint and the basement floor was sealed with concrete.

24. Mercury Awareness Case Studies
1993 Nova, Ohio
6 months, the house was heated and vented to further reduce mercury vapor concentrations.
family still suffers from long-term health effects
total clean-up cost was more than $225,000

25. Mercury Awareness Case Studies
1999 Centreville, Michigan
foster family made numerous trips to the hospital with 4- and 6-year-old children to diagnose unexplained symptoms
Physician recognized the symptoms as possible mercury poisoning and tested other family members
6-year-old was placed in intensive care for over 1 month due to hypertension.

26. Mercury Awareness Case Studies
1999 Centreville, Michigan
EPA discovered mercury contamination at the family’s residence.
Cleanup activities were conducted over 1 month and consisted of removing elemental mercury using a specialized vacuum, decontaminating and sealing affected areas of the basement, and heating and venting the house.

27. Mercury Awareness Case Studies
1999 Centreville, Michigan
total clean-up cost was approximately $63,000

28. Mercury Awareness Case Studies
2002, Private Residence, Ohio
thermometer was dropped and broke on a wooden floor, spreading mercury beads throughout the living room.
husband and wife 6 months pregnant
2-year old
husband cleaned up the visible mercury
used his vacuum cleaner

29. Mercury Awareness Case Studies
2002, Private Residence, Ohio
vapor levels in the home exceeded the safe limits
contractor recovered mercury beads from the joints of the wooden floor
Mercury vapor suppressant chemicals were used to clean the floor

30. Mercury Awareness Case Studies
2002, Private Residence, Ohio
family vacuum cleaner, an area rug, and the shoes were discarded.
total cleanup cost was less than $1,000

31. Mercury in Your Home

32. Mercury in Your Home Thermostats Dental amalgams Light switches
Thermometers
Fluorescent lights
Batteries
Appliance switches
Toys

33. Knowing which products contain mercury and handling them properly will limit the risk of mercury exposure.

34. Lighting Products Containing Mercury
Fluorescent bulbs
environmentally friendly
energy-efficient
last longer
kitchen, workshop, garage, and other home lighting
Metal halide bulbs
Street lights, security, and floodlights

35. Lighting Products Containing Mercury
High-pressure sodium bulbs
street, security, and floodlights
Neon bulbs used in novelty
lounge, and retail store lighting.
Automotive headlamps
characteristic blue tint when lit

36. Lighting Products Containing Mercury
Dispose of mercury-containing bulbs
recycling site
Mercury-containing bulb recyclers are identified at the following website:

37. Mercury in Medical Supply
Thermometers
silver liquid in thermometers
different-colored liquid (usually red)
contain alcohol, not mercury
Blood pressure cuffs

38. Mercury Thermometer Rite-Aid
stop selling mercury thermometers
Michigan banded sales of mercury thermometers, thermostat, blood pressure devices and medical devices.
1997
For more information, visit

39. Mercury Thermostat Mercury-containing tilt switches
more than 40 years
Many older thermostats and some current ones use switches containing mercury.
Michigan band

40. Appliance Switches Gas-fired appliances Switches
stoves, ovens, water heaters, clothes dryers, furnaces, and space heaters
Switches
Clothing irons, top loading freezers, and washing machines may use switches containing mercury

41. Toys Containing Mercury
Barometers
weather instrument
Old chemistry sets and mercury mazes
Children's’ chemistry sets were once sold with liquid mercury
the mercury maze, contains a drop of mercury that is moved through the maze

42. Other Items with Mercury
Batteries
contain mercuric oxide
All shapes and sizes
commonly used in calculators, cameras, hearing aids, and watches
Lighted athletic shoes
Pre-1997 tennis shoes with light-up soles contain mercury

43. Other Items with Mercury
Paint
latex paint made before 1990
Microwave ovens
Bulbs-older ovens
Disinfectants
Pesticides
before 1990

44. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities
For more information, please visit

45. Mercury in Schools

46. Mercury in Schools 1997 study Children exposed to mercury
CDC
Children exposed to mercury
muscle tremors, irritability, personality changes, mental retardation, neurological damage, impairment of language, attention and memory loss, and even death.
Trouble learning

47. Mercury in Schools Cleanup in schools are expensive
$1,000- $130,000 to clean-up
easily and rapidly spreads through a school, creating an immediate health issue
Spills have occurred
Because of mercury in the school or from outside (someone brought into the school)

48. Mercury in Schools To reduce mercury in schools Know where to find it
Science classrooms Nurse stations, Maintenance rooms (electrical and heating) Kitchens (thermometers)
What to look for
Containers of mercury Thermometers containing silver liquid (laboratory and medical) Barometers Sphygmomanometers (blood-pressure measuring device) Fluorescent lamps Mercury switches (light and float control) Older fungicides and pesticides

49. Mercury in Schools Reduce the presence of mercury
Teacher Awareness and Education
educate students, other teachers, and administrators about the health hazards of mercury
Promote proper management and recycling
Prevent mercury spills
Promote alternative products

50. Mercury in Schools What to do in case of a spill?
Leave the spill area, and keep others out.
Close inside doors and open outside windows
Turn down the heat, and turn off air conditioning or fans
Do NOT clean up the spill with a vacuum cleaner
Notify the appropriate authorities.

51. Mercury in Healthcare Industry

52. Hospitals and Clinics
Mercury spills have occurred in clinics and hospitals
Where do I look?
Examination and surgical rooms
Nurse Stations
Cafeterias (thermometers)
Laboratories and chemistry rooms

53. Hospitals and Clinics What to look for? Laboratory chemicals
Mercury thermometers (laboratory and medical)
Mercury barometers
Mercury gauges
Sphygmomanometer (blood pressure device)
Gastrointestinal tubes
Fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lamps
Pharmaceutical products

54. Hospitals and Clinics
In Michigan, Blood Pressure Device Sales/Use Ban:
Public Act 493 of 2006: prohibits the sale of mercury-added blood pressure devices by January 1, 2008 and their 'use' by January 1, 2009.

55. Hospitals and Clinics
Also, Medical Devices Sales Ban Public Act 494 of 2006 :
Public Act 494 of 2006 bans the sale of esophageal dilators, bougie tubes and gastrointestinal tubes that contain mercury or mercury-compounds beginning January 1, 2009.

56. Hospitals and Clinics
Information on this and other programs can be obtained at the following websites:

57. Mercury in Healthcare Industry
Mercury from dental offices enter the environment?
Mercury-containing amalgam particles
rinsed down drains, sink traps
Amalgam particles in a Bio-bags
incinerated
Amalgam particles in ordinary trash
Non-hazardous waste landfill

58. Mercury in Healthcare Industry
Dental Mercury Amalgam Separators Public Act 503 of 2008 requires that on or before December 31, 2013,
Dentists shall install or have installed separator in all drains

59. Mercury in Healthcare Industry
For more information on best management practices, visit

60. Mercury for Religious and Medicinal Purposes

61. Mercury for Religious and Medicinal Purposes
Folk medicine
Believe to bring luck in love, money, health, and to ward off evil.
Religions use
Santeria, Palo, Voodoo, Wick, and Espirtiemso

62. Mercury for Religious and Medicinal Purposes
Common dangerous uses of mercury in religion
Carrying mercury in a sealed pouch
Sprinkling mercury in a home or automobile
Mixing mercury with bath water or perfume
Burning devotional candles containing mercury

63. Mercury for Religious and Medicinal Purposes
For more information, visit

64. Mercury in Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry

65. Mercury in Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry
Dairy farms
Mercury-containing manometers
Approximately 12 ounces
Routinely maintenance
Other sources
Fungicides, mildewcides, latex paint, and outdoor fabric treatments
(all pre-1995)

66. Mercury in Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry
For more information, visit

67. Commercial and Industrial Uses
Other sources
Automotive industry, chemical manufacturers, food processors, laboratories, and paper mills.

68. Mercury Disposal Options

69. Mercury Disposal Options
Recycling
Safely remove/reuse
Hazardous Waste
Cannot safely remove/reuse

70. Mercury Disposal Options
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs
communities and counties
couple times per year
Allow environmentally safe disposal
hazardous, poisonous, and toxic household products

71. Mercury Disposal Options
Products typically accepted
Mercury, mercury-containing products including thermometers, thermostats, switches, and liquid mercury
Paints, strippers, primers, varnishes, solvents, spray paint, and paint thinners
Automotive fluids, including oil and antifreeze
Garden chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides Lead acid batteries

72. Mercury Disposal Options
Household Hazardous Waste Collection visit the following website:

73. Spill Response

74. Spill Response A. Initial Actions B. Small Spill Information
C. Large Spill Information
D. Resources and Responsibilities
E. Funding and Grants
F. Monitoring Instruments
G. Air Sampling Method and Equipment

75. Initial Actions Actions that Should be Taken Do’s /Don'ts
minimize possible health impacts,
spread of contamination, and associated clean up time

76. Actions that Should be Taken aka Do’s
Immediately evacuate the area
aka HOT ZONE
Bag, and seal
clothing and shoes
Place the bag outdoors
Secure location
Wash exposed skin
warm water and soap

77. Initial Actions Ventilate the area Isolate vapors Notify
Open windows (caution)
Turn off HVAC
Isolate vapors
prevent vapor migration to other rooms
duct tape door
Notify
MDEQ,EPA, Local Fire Department, local health department

78. Actions that Should not be Taken aka Don’ts
DO NOT allow anyone or any pets to enter the area.
DO NOT attempt to vacuum spilled mercury
DO NOT allow Firefighter in enter area
Without chemical PPE
DO NOT attempt to clean-up area
Firefighter shouldn’t cleanup spill
Unless they are willing to take responsibility

79. Small Spill Information
Broken thermometer or thermostat
grams = 1 droplet (pea size)
Limited to a small area (contained)
4’ x 4’ area or less
Cleaned up easily
Within 1 hour

80. Small Spill Information
Coordinated
with MDEQ, EPA, local health department, and possibly the U.S. EPA
Anything over
> grams = 1 droplet (pea size)
>uncontained area
>4’ x 4’ area or more
>1 hour

81. Large Spill Information
> 3.0 grams
Uncontained area’s
Complicated clean-ups
Require multi-agency response
EPA, MDEQ, local / state health dept’s, EMA, fire department, hazardous materials unit
Typically involves
Referral, Removal, Replacement, Reoccupation

82. Resources and Responsibilities
Each publicly funded department or agency has the responsibility for providing sensible and protective advice to concerned citizens, schools, and businesses. By understanding the basic protective measures presented in this manual, local responders can correctly advise community members and refer them, if necessary, to other experienced individuals as appropriate.

83. Resources and Responsibilities
OSPPERA’s “Mercury Spill Response & Cleanup Guidance.”
U.S. EPA Region 5 “Mercury Response Guidebook”
Both Guidebooks included in the CD
Internet

84. Funding and Grants Local Government Reimbursement
Temporary emergency measures
Releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances
Eligible local governments
up to $25,000 per incident

85. Funding and Grants LGR Program Information is also available at
LGR Help Line at (800) or questions
Information is also available at

86. Funding and Grants Other Funding for Mercury-Related Projects
Great Lakes National Program Office's Great Lakes Program Funding
Community Toolbox Children's Environmental Health Grants
Communitytoolbox.org

87. Insurance Claims
Insurance policies vary significantly depending on the company and coverage.
In case of a mercury spill, contact the insurance company to determine coverage and liability.
Most Insurance policies don’t cover Mercury Spills

88. Monitoring Instruments
Lumex RA-915+
Mercury vapor content in ambient air, water, soil, and natural and stack gases.
Real-time measurement
Read very levels
atomic-absorption spectrometer
Preferred

89. Monitoring Instruments
Jerome
Goldfilm sensor
Mercury vapor in the air (High levels)
Gold film becomes saturated,
Regeneration mode

90. Monitoring Instruments
Less common instruments
VM-3000
Nippon EMP-1A

91. Air Sampling Method and Equipment
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 6009 for measuring mercury in air samples