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WHAT TO TELL SPILL VICTIMS?
• If thermometer is cleaned up per instructions, within 24 hours, risk is extremely small.
• If residual mercury droplets or particles imbedded in carpet remain, the extent of risk is unknown and we cannot predict it.
• People with confirmed high levels had exposure more than one week.
• If anyone will be affected it will most likely be the youngest (or unborn) child.
TREATMENT
• Removal from further exposure
• Decontamination
• Chelation (drugs that eliminate Hg into urine)
• Hemodialysis
• Indications for chelation are controversial
TREATMENT: CHELATORS
• Dimercaprol (BAL): intramuscular
• DMPS: most effective for organic Hg
• N-Acetyl-D, L penicillamine: oral
• Succimer (DMSA): oral
• superior to penicillamine
• prevents mercury uptake by cells
• very safe
• Call PCC for treatment advice
TREATMENT• May not be effective in reversing toxicity
from chronic organic or chronic elemental mercury exposure
TAKE HOME POINTS
• Mercury is a potent neurotoxin
• Children are more susceptible
• Treatment is not always effective
• Blood mercury levels are most useful if spill was less than 1 week ago
• People or doctors with questions
• Call Poison Control Center – 1-800-222-1222
EXPOSURE LIMITS
EXPOSURE LIMITS MIOSHA TWA
50 µg/m3
Urine Mercury
50 µg/L
Blood Mercury30 -35 µg/L
Neurobehavioral effects (IQ) children blood >3.5 µg/L in pregnant women
NON-OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSUREMINIMAL RISK LEVEL (MRL)
occupational LOAEL
26 µg/m3
average 15 years of
exposure
adjusted to 24 hour exposure
added 30-fold uncertainty
factor0.2 µg/m3
MDCH REFERENCE LEVELSMercury concentration in µg/m3 Actions
Less than 1 After clean-up, re-occupy – residential
Less than 3 After clean-up, re-occupy – non-residential
Greater than 10 Occupants to leave during remediationDiscard bagged items
Greater than 20 Occupants to immediately leaveEnter to open windows but do not stay to characterize
Greater than 50 Evacuate & Do Not Enter
LAWS
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (EXCERPT)ACT 451 OF 1994
324.17202 MERCURY THERMOMETER; SALE ,OFFER FOR SALE, OR OFFER FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES
• (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), beginning on January 1, 2003, a person shall not sell, offer for sale, or offer for promotional purposes a mercury thermometer in this state or for use in this state. Except:• A) required by statue, regulation or rule
• B) Pharmaceutical research purposes
• 2) After January 1, 2003 by prescription only.
FEVER THERMOMETER BREAKSREPORTED TO PCC’S IN US
2000 18,265
2001 17,457
2005 9,122
15,442 Other Mercury Exposures
BLOOD PRESSURE DEVICESMCL 324.17204
• It is illegal:• As of January 1, 2008 • To offer a mercury containing BP device for sale
• As of January 1, 2009 • To use this device outside of a private home
• Can only be used for calibrating other devices
• Must be stored in a locked cabinet
THERMOSTATSMCL 324.17205• As of January 1, 2009
• “A person shall not sell, offer for sale, or distribute.. A thermostat for regulating room temperature that contains mercury…”
• Does not apply if it is a replacement for an existing thermostat containing mercury or is a component of an appliance.
REVISED SCHOOL CODEMCL 380.1274B
• After December 31, 2004 the school district …. does not purchase, store, or use free flowing elemental mercury …. Or use an instrument that contains mercury…”• Exception if no alternative exists
MERCURY CONTAINING ITEMS
COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHTBULBS (CFLS)
• Far fewer calls than a couple years ago• Internet still has some extreme
misinformation• 100 times less mercury than a
fever thermometer• 4 mg of mercury
FLUORESCENT TUBES• Mercury Content• Silver end 8 to 14 mg/bulb• Older bulbs up to 40
mg/bulb• Green end 3.5 to 4 mg/bulb
• New bulbs• Most mercury is vapor
• Used/Burnt our bulbs• Most mercury is bound to
phosphor powder
GROW LIGHT-FACT SHEET• Clandestine greenhouse operations
• Procedure for collection/storage
• Procedure for breaks
• For first responders – request
• Most switching to LEDs
THERMOMETERSMCL 324.17202• Home fever thermometers
• 0.5-1 grams of mercury
• Banned sale in MI in 2003 – except by prescription
• Laboratory thermometers
• Up to 3 grams of mercury
• Banned for sale in MI except for drug manufacturing
REPLACEMENTS FOR A MERCURY FEVER THERMOMETER
• Digital• No shaking
• Alcohol• Have to shake
• Usually red liquid
LIQUID METAL FROM A MERCURY-FREE THERMOMETER • Galinstan
• Mix of gallium, indium, and stannum (tin)
• Smears on glass, paper
• No beads
THERMOSTATS AND OTHER MERCURY SWITCHES
• Tilt, pressure, or float switches (possibly others)
• 0.01 grams (10 mg ) to 200 grams – less than 0.4 lbs
• In Michigan mercury thermostat sales banned as of 2009
• Some dial thermostats now mercury-free
BAROMETERS
• From 100 grams to 6 kilograms (0.2 to 13 lbs)