How to properly dispose of a mercury thermometer. Where to throw away a broken thermometer and safety precautions for this procedure

Mercury thermometers do not have an expiration date, but there is a risk of damage to the glass case. They contain mercury, the toxic fumes of which can cause irreparable damage to health.

About 20% medical waste pose a danger to the environment. They are divided into 5 classes, mercury thermometers belong to the 1st. This means that they should absolutely not be thrown away with regular trash. Demercurization centers, which have special equipment and qualified personnel, are responsible for the disposal of mercury. Individuals, as well as organizations wishing to get rid of waste containing mercury, can contact such an organization.

What is mercury recycling?

Toxic metal tends to accumulate in living organisms and the environment, causing poisoning and disease even at low concentrations. IN industrial scale mercury is recycled technically in a complicated way, and are also recycled using metal to make lamps. Mercury disposal in Moscow is carried out by licensed enterprises. If a lamp or thermometer breaks, you need to call the Ministry of Emergency Situations. For the safety of your family, it is better to replace mercury-containing devices with electronic ones. Plus it's on sale now big choice accurate and safe thermometers and lamps.

If the thermometer breaks

The mercury leaked out:

• remove children and animals from the room;
• do not vacuum or sweep, as the molecules will only disperse;
• toxic fumes pose a danger, so you cannot create a draft, otherwise you will have to disinfect the entire apartment;
• if the temperature outside is higher than +18°C, you cannot open the windows, otherwise the mercury molecules will react with oxygen, increasing harmful fumes;
• with bare hands you cannot collect the contents, mercury accumulates in balls, they are collected with an oiled napkin, which is immediately lowered into a jar of water;
• You can use wide tape to collect fragments - the smallest glass and balls will stick to its surface;
• It is very difficult to collect mercury from soft and fleecy surfaces, so these things will have to be thrown away;
• everything collected should be placed in a glass jar with a solution of potassium permanganate and the lid tightly closed;
• Do not pour out or throw away the collected contents under any circumstances;
• wash the floor with disinfectants (potassium permanganate, bleach, soap and soda solution), they envelop the remaining mercury molecules and neutralize them harmful effects;
• carry out work only in gloves.

The mercury did not flow out:

• Do not throw away the device along with household waste or bury in the ground;
• the thermometer is placed in a glass container with a solution of potassium permanganate;
• Disposal of mercury from a thermometer without damage is carried out by specialized enterprises; the device should only be taken there;
• Where to take collected mercury in the capital can be found on the website of the Moscow Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology.

1. It is prohibited to dispose of mercury into sewers;
2. Items used to collect mercury must be thrown out of the apartment;
3. Mercury should not be kept near heating devices or near heat;
4. There should be no drafts in the room, as toxic fumes are very volatile;
5. Rinse the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, brush your teeth - during the cleaning process, metal could settle on them.

• Disposal of thermometers must be carried out strictly according to the rules and only by specialists;
• The device contains about 2 g of toxic metal, but even this is not large quantity enough to cause serious poisoning.
• If possible, it is better to immediately call emergency services specialists.
• The mercury disposal service for demercurization uses products that guarantee complete removal of contaminants. The substance enters into an oxidation reaction and the dangerous metal is neutralized.

How to store a mercury thermometer

At home, thermometers are stored in places inaccessible to children to prevent them from falling or damaging the glass case.

There are separate conditions for broken thermometers:

1. According to the rules, all 1st class waste is placed in a cylindrical galvanized container and covered with a cover;
2. When the waste is collected, the container is marked with a sticker;
3. Waste containing mercury must be stored in a specially designated room with a hard floor, and access to it must be limited.

Mercury disposal procedure

• Substances of the first hazard class are extremely hazardous waste; only licensed enterprises are allowed to process them;
• In a special installation (demercurizer), mercury is recycled from thermometers and mercury lamps;
• The glass is crushed, mercury vapor rises, after which it is deposited followed by condensation (a sorbent is used);
• The thermocryogenic method is also used for disposal - a high temperature of 170°C is set, dangerous fumes are condensed in a vacuum, then frozen out using liquid nitrogen. The defrosted mercury is then collected in a receiver;
• For lamps, a separation method is used - in a countercurrent system with vibration and air pressure, the lamp is divided into components (broken glass, aluminum parts, phosphor), each component is sent to a separate receiver.

Lamps and thermometers containing mercury are dangerous to the environment and human health. Mercury vapor and the substance itself tend to accumulate in living organisms and cause damage nervous system and organs, cause poisoning and cancer.

According to current legislation, a special disposal procedure is provided and it is prohibited to store such waste for more than 1 year in basements and warehouses without permission. Proper management of mercury waste involves only demercurization.

Licenses for this type activity issues civil service on nuclear, technological and environmental supervision.

A device for measuring temperature can serve for a very long time, but it has a serious drawback: even with slight damage to the protective layer, mercury spills out, and it is very toxic substance. If a thermometer breaks in an apartment building, the residents of all apartments are at risk. Therefore, simply taking it and throwing it down the garbage disposal or toilet is unacceptable.

We must always remember that it is not the metal itself that is dangerous, but its vapors. If the mercury balls are not removed, then there will be constant inhalation of toxic fumes, and this will ultimately lead to severe poisoning. Such poisoning can even lead to death.

At various injuries The thermometer either leaks mercury or it doesn’t. Regardless of the outcome, the damaged thermometer and glass fragments must be placed in a glass jar and poured cold water and seal tightly. The jar is still packaged in an airtight seal plastic bag. All this is handed over for disposal to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

What to do if mercury leaks?

The first thing to do in this case is to take everyone out of the room where the thermometer broke. Not only people, but also animals should leave the room so that they do not spread mercury balls throughout the apartment. Next, you need to close the door to the room and open all the windows wide. Drafts should not be allowed, as they will cause mercury balls to scatter throughout the room and can get into places where they will be difficult to find (cracks, baseboards). In this case, the balls are broken into smaller ones, which only makes the situation worse. You need to moisten a rag with soda solution or potassium permanganate and spread it on the threshold in front of the door. To prevent mercury from getting on upholstered furniture or indoor flowers, you need to cover them with plastic.

To clean up the remains of a broken thermometer, you must wear rubber gloves, shoe covers, and a medical mask on your face. If there is no mask in the first aid kit, then you should apply gauze moistened with water, folded in four layers, to your face. It is advisable to wear synthetic clothing, because clothing made from natural fabrics (for example, cotton) absorbs mercury vapor more strongly.

Disposal of products used to remove mercury

If mercury gets on the carpet, you need to bend its corners to prevent the balls from rolling onto the floor covering. Many people use a vacuum cleaner to remove mercury from the carpet. This cannot be done, because the vacuum cleaner motor heats up during operation, thereby accelerating the evaporation process. Mercury also settles on the motor, thereby forming a thin film. Therefore, after collecting mercury, the vacuum cleaner can no longer be used; it must be returned for recycling.

If mercury gets on a fleece rug, it should be wrapped in plastic, taken out into the yard and hung on a crossbar. This gives the mercury a chance to drain off the rug. But it must not be allowed to get into the ground, so polyethylene must be laid under the crossbar. As soon as the balls roll down from the carpet, the carpet must be knocked out for at least half an hour.

You cannot collect mercury from the floor with paper or a broom. To do this, you need to take a newspaper or napkin and moisten it in vegetable oil(olive or sunflower). Mercury balls stick well to such surfaces. You can also use tape or adhesive tape. must be sent in a sealed plastic bag. If mercury balls get under the baseboards or under the parquet, they will have to be removed. If the floor is made of wooden planks, it is dismantled and the floor underneath is cleaned.

Many people believe that chlorinated iron or copper sulfate can be used to remove mercury from the floor, but this opinion is incorrect. Chlorinated iron does attract mercury globules, but it is very toxic. Copper sulfate dissolves mercury, thereby “smearing” it. Cleaning in this case becomes more difficult.

After removing the mercury balls, the place where they were must be urgently treated with some kind of absorbent. The simplest treatment method is to crush activated carbon tablets and sprinkle them on the contaminated surface. After fifteen minutes, the coal is poured into a vessel with water.

The most difficult thing is removing mercury from metal surfaces. Mercury balls on such a surface are rubbed rather than rolled out, and in this state the evaporation of mercury occurs much faster. To remove it from a metal surface, you need to use a copper plate. Use this plate to collect the metal and throw it into cold water.

The place where the mercury was must be treated with a five percent solution of hydrochloric acid. Subsequently, this place must be treated with a five percent soda solution for five days.

Mercury vapor in the room where the thermometer crashed will reach a concentration fifty times higher than normal within an hour. If by this time no measures have been taken, it is no longer possible to take measures on your own at home. It is necessary to close the premises and call the emergency services.

After removing visible mercury, the room should be wet cleaned. For this cleaning it is necessary to use bleach or potassium permanganate. Cleaning is done twice. After eliminating all the consequences, you must contact the sanitary and epidemiological station so that its employees measure the content of mercury vapor in the air in the room. The room needs to be ventilated for a few more weeks.

If a problem occurs in the kitchen, then all products that were not in the refrigerator are disposed of. All utensils must be thoroughly washed, and then all rags, sponges and towels used must be disposed of.

Safety regulations

If mercury gets on your skin, it should be collected with tape or adhesive tape. After this, the affected area must be washed with water and laundry soap and sprinkled with lime. Lime may cause a slight burn to the skin, but it will prevent mercury from entering the body. If symptoms of poisoning do appear (vomiting and stomach upset), you should immediately seek medical attention. medical care. When cleaning a room from mercury, you need to take breaks every twenty minutes and drink as much liquid as possible. After cleaning, you need to thoroughly brush your teeth, rinse your mouth with potassium permanganate and take several tablets of activated carbon.

Items used to clean up mercury must be disposed of. It is unacceptable to use them in the future or simply throw them away.

If the mercury does not leak out

If the thermometer is broken, but the body of the thermometer is not damaged and the mercury has not leaked out, then you need to do the following:

• Carefully inspect the thermometer and make sure that no mercury leak has actually occurred.
• Wear gloves, place the damaged thermometer in a glass jar and seal it tightly.
• Find out the addresses of services directly involved in the disposal of broken thermometers and return the thermometer for recycling to the nearest one.

Throw away the thermometer trash container Absolutely forbidden. Such a violation, if detected, is punishable by a fine. Persons residing in apartment buildings who, in the event of an incident, did not report it to the Housing Office or the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station.

Mercury disposal is a rather complex process, but necessary to protect the environment, human health and life. It is necessary to properly dispose of waste containing mercury not only in factories, but also at home. Broken or old thermometers, lamps, etc. require a certain disposal procedure, knowledge of which can make life easier.

Why are mercury-containing waste dangerous? What hazard class does this waste belong to?

Mercury is a well-known transition metal whose vapors are extremely toxic. However, despite its toxicity, mercury is used in many devices from mercury thermometers and fluorescent lamps in everyday life and to mercury-containing equipment on manufacturing enterprises. If the integrity of such devices is violated, real threat not only health, but also human life.

Getting into human body, mercury and its vapors disrupt the functioning of all systems (respiratory, digestive, etc.), leading to severe poisoning. In this regard, waste containing mercury was classified as the most dangerous waste class, which is hazard class I. For the same reason of this kind waste (eg broken thermometer or especially industrial waste) must be properly disposed of.

Why is it necessary to dispose of mercury-containing waste?

Disposal of mercury-containing waste in a certain way, which is carried out by specialized organizations, is necessary for the following reasons:

• as mentioned above, such waste is extremely dangerous to human health, especially susceptible to extreme toxic effect mercury children and women;
• mercury is a fluid substance that can get into cracks, inside carpet surfaces, furniture upholstery, etc., evaporating from there and poisoning others;
• the means by which people usually eliminate mercury at home are ineffective and only contribute to an even greater spread of the liquid metal and its evaporation;
• When mercury waste enters the natural environment, it has an extremely negative impact on all living organisms.

How to dispose of mercury-containing waste?

How to dispose of mercury at home, for example, mercury from a thermometer, if it is not possible to use the services of specialized services? This is an interesting question, because it is impossible to eliminate mercury waste at home using a broom or vacuum cleaner.

It is correct to use a brush first, then damp filter paper, to collect spilled mercury. To collect metal that has fallen into the cracks, use wire. Next, the mercury, used paper and pieces of wire need to be moved into some container, if possible, make it as airtight as possible. After this, you need to wet clean the room using laundry soap. Then dispose of the waste container. For this purpose, you can contact the SES, your management company or DEZ.

Certainly, self-disposal mercury is far from an ideal way to neutralize yourself from it toxic effects. The best way is still to use the services of specialized companies.

Mercury Recycling Services

When mercury is spilled from any equipment, it is important to properly neutralize it. The disposal and neutralization of mercury is professionally handled by the mercury recycling service. Process methods are divided into:

1. A chemical method in which liquid metal is combined with other substances to form a stable compound.
2. An evaporation method in which metal evaporates and subsequent condensation of steam occurs.

Before and after work on eliminating mercury-containing waste, services measure mercury (its vapors) in the room, which makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of the work performed.

You can also hand over mercury-containing used devices (lamps, thermometers, medical and industrial equipment, etc.) to such companies. Our legislation regulates for individuals and especially for legal entities It is mandatory to hand over old devices with mercury to specialized services for disposal.

Recycling activities are carried out in the presence of suitable containers and transport. As a rule, the list of actions of mercury spill disposal services includes:

• determination of pollution levels;
• identifying the source of mercury spill;
• cleaning furniture, equipment, and territory (in a home or business) from mercury;
• elimination of mercury traces;
• measurement of mercury vapor;
• preparation of necessary documents.

Methods for processing mercury-containing waste

Methods for processing such waste include:

1. Amalgamation. Liquid mercury is converted into mercury alloys (amalgams) using metals: copper, zinc, gold, etc. This reduces the release of mercury vapor. The method is not common.
2. Firing at high temperatures. Containing mercury and organic matter the waste is burned, the exhaust gases are cleaned of mercury vapor.
3. Thermal method. The waste is heated or calcined in special installations where mercury evaporates and its vapor condenses. Or direct distillation of mercury is carried out to regenerate it.
4. Chemical-metallurgical method.

There are different options for processing mercury and mercury-containing waste. But all these options for demercurization and processing of such waste are based on the four methods described above.

Reception points for mercury-containing waste

Today in Russian cities there are collection points for old fluorescent lamps and other waste containing mercury. Such points are either mobile or stationary. Mobile points involve special anti-vandal containers - the so-called ecoboxes. Such ecoboxes can be installed management company in the territories it serves.

Rules for handling mercury-containing waste. What does the law say?

The rules for handling such waste are prescribed in the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated September 3, 2010 (has been edited).

Management of mercury-containing waste involves their collection and accumulation, which must be carried out by consumers (except for individuals) separately from other types of waste. At the same time, if used devices are damaged, they must be placed by consumers in specialized containers. The collection of mercury-containing waste is carried out by companies specializing in this.

Also, in accordance with these rules, the accounting and transportation of mercury-containing waste must be carried out in a certain way. Thus, at enterprises, a trained person keeps a logbook, which records the amount of generated waste containing mercury. Such a logbook must be drawn up in accordance with all the requirements specified in technological regulations. Sample reference quantitative accounting can be seen in the picture below.

When storing unbroken lamps and thermometers, they should be packed in cardboard boxes and placed on special racks. Storing broken appliances is different. They must be placed in sealed steel containers that bear the sign “broken mercury-containing waste.” Broken mercury-containing waste is not allowed to be disposed of in landfills, etc. After all actions related to the collection and storage of mercury waste have been completed, containers and protective clothing are demercurized.

Transportation of waste containing mercury is carried out using special transport that prevents the penetration of mercury into the environment.

Note! All companies specializing in mercury disposal must have a license for the disposal and collection of mercury-containing waste.

Detailed information about the rules and requirements is contained in the instructions for handling waste containing mercury.

Mercury waste must be disposed of with the help of specialized companies. It is also advisable to eliminate mercury spills at home by contacting specialists. Proper disposal measures, compliance with the law and regulations in this area, guarantee the preservation natural environment and human health. It is important that each of us understands this.

This short video explains why it is important to dispose of mercury-containing waste (using the example of fluorescent lamps) and what problems exist in our country.

A mercury thermometer lasts a long time and is inexpensive. But such an assistant has a drawback - it contains mercury, which can spill out if handled carelessly. This substance belongs to the category of hazardous products. You need to dispose of a mercury thermometer correctly so as not to harm yourself and others. Simply flushing it down the toilet or throwing it in a container is not enough.

Mercury begins to evaporate at 18 degrees Celsius. At the same time, its vapors mix with the air that a person inhales. This process occurs at a rate of two thousandths of a milligram per square centimeter per hour. To calculate the level of danger, it is important to know the amount of mercury contained in the thermometer. The average weight of the metal is two grams.

The evaporation of mercury vapor is 0.18 milligrams per hour. It is enough to break one thermometer to “infect” up to 600 m³ of living space. Therefore, everyone should know how to dispose of a mercury thermometer correctly.

If the thermometer breaks

If you handle mercury-containing equipment carelessly, it may break. It is important to know the rules for disposing of medical waste so as not to harm the health of your loved ones.

If a mercury thermometer breaks, you should:

• Calm down and assess the situation. Haste can only do harm.
• If possible, take children and pets outside or into another room. Mercury is a volatile metal. It wears off quickly.
• Immediately dial the Ministry of Emergency Situations and notify them of the incident. Rescue workers will provide qualified assistance in cleaning the house.
• Carefully inspect the furniture and floor in the room, trying not to miss mercury balls. They can be very small, so there is no need to rush.
• All objects on which mercury drops are noticed should be marked with chalk or a felt-tip pen. Try not to step on them.
• Try to collect small particles of mercury into one drop.
• Large particles of mercury should be swept away first. to avoid small drops breaking off from them.
• You can shine a flashlight- this makes it easier to notice mercury balls; they glow in the dark.
• A scoop can be made by folding a sheet of paper. It is convenient to roll mercury particles onto it using an awl and a needle.
• Using an awl or a large needle is convenient to remove mercury balls from the cracks. You can wrap the end of the awl with cotton wool soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate.
• If a drop gets into the cracks of the parquet, it will have to be removed.
• Ventilate the room and try not to enter the room during the day. After 24 hours, it is recommended to carry out wet cleaning.
• The mercury assembly process can take several hours. Therefore, you should go out into the air every 15–20 minutes.

Who will help

Where to put a broken thermometer so that it doesn’t do any harm? Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are responsible for the process of destroying a broken mercury thermometer. They will help collect the remaining mercury and disinfect the room. Rescue service specialists promptly respond when a mercury leak is reported.

Actions to take if mercury comes into contact with the outside world

Disposal of mercury thermometers is an important and responsible undertaking. Especially if the thermometer broke and the mercury leaked out. The first thing to do is to immediately leave the room so as not to spread drops of the substance.

The door to the room should be closed tightly and the windows should be opened for ventilation. It is recommended to lay a rag soaked in soda or potassium permanganate on the threshold. When cleaning, you must protect your hands with rubber gloves and your face with a cotton-gauze bandage.

When all the mercury particles have been collected, the question arises of where to put the broken thermometer. This is what the Ministry of Emergency Situations is doing. You should not get rid of a broken thermometer yourself.

Recycling locations for whole thermometers

Disposing of a working thermometer is different from a broken one. In such a situation, there is no need to bother the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Where to return a mercury thermometer, if it is in working order, depends on your place of residence:

• in a metropolis;
• in a small village.

IN major cities There are specialized recycling points. In St. Petersburg, such services are provided by the Ecomobil company. This is a mobile collection point for mercury thermometers and lamps, as well as other dangerous products - expired medicines, batteries, household chemicals and car tires.

IN Russian Federation Several legal acts have been adopted that prescribe an algorithm of actions for the disposal of mercury waste. Federal classification catalog hazardous waste gives a breakdown of each type of garbage and regulates their destruction.

While the average citizen may be unfamiliar with the rules for disposing of mercury waste, businesses must. When destroying a large amount of waste, a waste passport is created, approved by Rospotrebnadzor.

Hospitals stockpile used devices and then donate them to appropriate companies. Mercury waste is marked with the letter “G” and entered into the appropriate Storage Log.

Citizens can recycle an entire thermometer by placing it in a specialized eco-terminal of blue color. Such points are located near hotels, supermarkets and gas stations.

Residents of villages and towns need to contact the SES or district administration. Employees of these institutions will tell you how to dispose of a working mercury thermometer.

• bury the thermometer in the ground;
• throw it in a trash container;
• hide under a tree.

According to environmental laws, throw away hazardous substances and the objects that contain them, in common places Garbage collection is prohibited. Where to throw away the mercury thermometer in this case, since it belongs specifically to such items? In this article you will find the answer to this question and many others regarding the disposal of hazardous mercury.

Where to dispose of a mercury thermometer?

Not every city can boast of having places for the collection and disposal of hazardous waste. As a rule, such points are located only in large cities. Often private companies do this, but they require payment for the services provided.

So where to submit mercury thermometer, if there are no environmental organizations or recycling centers in your city? In this case, you need to contact a pharmacy or clinic. These institutions, according to current legislation, must accept such items and continue to act as prescribed.

If the pharmacy and hospital refuse to accept the dangerous item, then you can call the employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Important! Since the matter concerns mercury vapor that is harmful and dangerous to humans, the Ministry of Emergency Situations does not have the right to refuse to satisfy your request.

How to dispose of mercury? — Transportation rules

Deciding on the place where to take the mercury thermometer is still half the battle. It is also necessary to know how to properly collect and transport harmful liquid metal to its destination.

Important! If something irreparable happens and the thermometer breaks, don’t panic. It is necessary to immediately begin to eliminate the consequences.

Rules for collecting mercury:

1. Remove all people and pets from the area where the incident occurred. Take care of children, pregnant women and the elderly first.

Important! This way you will not only protect your loved ones from the influence of harmful mercury vapors, but also prevent the spread of metal throughout the living space by transferring it on shoes or clothes.

1. Use a side light to illuminate the place where the thermometer fell. Thus, droplets of liquid metal will be better visible.

Important! It is necessary to collect mercury from the periphery to the center.

1. To prevent the balls from flying around and breaking into smaller pieces, eliminate any hint of draft.
2. If the air temperature outside is significantly lower than inside the house, you should open a window to cool the room. Thus, the evaporation of metal vapors will not occur so quickly as the temperature decreases.
3. Put on protective gloves on your hands and shoe covers on your shoes. Airways protect with a gauze bandage.
4. Take two sheets of paper, use one as a scoop and the other as a brush.

Important! Never use a broom to collect mercury, as it will crush the balls into smaller pieces. fine particles and will spread them over a large area.

Vacuum cleaners are also prohibited. By using it, you will only contribute to the rapid evaporation of mercury and damage the device. After such use, the dust suction unit can no longer be used for its intended purpose.

1. Suck in small mercury balls with a rubber bulb or syringe.
2. Collect the smallest particles with the adhesive side of the tape or plaster.

Important! The collected mercury should be placed in a jar of water. Water will prevent the metal from evaporating.

How to pack collected metal?

1. After cleaning, the jar with water and collected metal must be closed with a tight lid.
2. Items that were used during the elimination of the “accident” should be collected in a thick plastic bag and handed over along with mercury and a broken thermometer.

Important! If mercury particles get on your clothing, do not wash the item in a washing machine. It is best to recycle such clothes.

1. The entire room where the incident occurred must be treated with a disinfectant solution.

Important! Wet cleaning should be repeated several times within two weeks after the incident.

Where should you not throw the thermometer?

• Do not throw the mercury thermometer in the trash or down the garbage disposal with other household waste.

Important! Two grams of mercury contained in a thermometer can pollute six thousand cubic meters of air.

• You cannot dispose of mercury by flushing the metal down the toilet. Thus, the remaining gray liquid will settle in the pipes, and it will be almost impossible to remove it.
• It is better not to attempt to dispose of a mercury thermometer yourself. If you bury it in the ground or throw it into a river, you will greatly harm the environment and also get into trouble with the law.

Video material

The problem of a broken mercury thermometer is quite common, but unfortunately, not everyone knows what to do correctly in this situation. The opinion that nothing really bad will happen from such a small amount of metal is fundamentally wrong. It is possible that ailments and health problems will not appear immediately, but after a few years. Therefore, take action to proper disposal harmful substances. The best option for all people there would be a refusal of such unsafe medical items, as they have done for a long time the developed countries. But in our situation, whether to make our home an unsafe zone by having a mercury thermometer in our first aid kit or not is the concern of each of us.