Is Spilled Mercury Dangerous?
Mercury can still be found in many household objects today, from fluorescent lightbulbs and thermometers to batteries. Should one of these items break and the silvery liquid metal leak out, you must bring in professionals to clean it up immediately.
Here at ICE Cleaning, our technicians can clear up any mercury spill, no matter how big. They are fully permitted to handle and dispose of mercury, and can be on site in several hours in an emergency.
Read this blog to find out the dangers of a mercury spill, and what to do in the event of one.
What is mercury?
Elemental mercury is the shiny, silver-grey metal form of mercury. It is a liquid that breaks into droplets when spilt or touched. At room temperature, it can evaporate into an odourless, invisible vapour which is toxic.
Breathing the vapours in is the most common and most dangerous way to be exposed to mercury. It can also pass through the skin if you touch it, but this is less harmful. You can find out more about mercury here.
Mercury is found far less in modern household objects due to the health risks. Thermometers produced today, for example, contain coloured alcohol, instead. Should your thermometer break, you can tell if it contained mercury if the liquid is a silver colour.
The dangers of mercury exposure
It can affect your health
If you inhale its vapours, it can be absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream and cause health problems.
Short term exposure to even a small amount of mercury can be harmful. You may experience a cough or a sore throat, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and vision problems.
People exposed to mercury for a long period of time, might experience more serious health problems. This includes anxiety, anorexia, sleeping problems, and damage to your central nervous system and kidneys.
How serious the effects are depends on how much mercury has been spilled. However, some people are more vulnerable to its harmful effects:
- Pregnant people can pass mercury on to the foetus
- People breastfeeding their children could pass it onto them through their breast milk
- Young children might play on the floor where the spill was, and could breathe in more vapours
It is very difficult to clean up mercury
To make the affected area safe again, all traces must be removed and any items in contact with it disposed of according to local regulations.
Unfortunately, this is not an easy task as mercury can split into very small droplets which could roll away and settle into small crevices. If it is on porous material, like fabric or upholstery, the item must be disposed of.
Although some claim you can clean mercury spills yourself, it is always recommended that you bring in professional cleaners. Miss any mercury and it will continue to vapourise slowly, and might put your own and others’ health at risk for a long period of time. Or you could make the situation worse:
- If you attempt to vacuum it, it will evaporate faster and the vapours will be released into the air
- Don’t sweep it up with a broom as it will split the mercury into droplets and spread them around
- Should you wash it down the sink, it could contaminate your plumbing and pollute your septic tank or the sewage treatment plant
- Make sure contaminated clothing is not put in the washing machine or it will get contaminated, too
What to do in the event of a spill
First, contain the affected area so vapours can’t spread around the property. Shut doors to other rooms, and open any windows and doors that lead outside to ventilate the room. Make sure no one goes near the spill, nor walks through it.
Don’t forget to turn off the heat and air-conditioning to stop the mercury evaporating and vapours travelling elsewhere.
Then, contact professional cleaners as soon as possible. They can remove all of it safely, dispose of the waste appropriately, and even test the air for mercury vapours to make sure the affected area is safe to re-enter. You can find out more about what to do in the event of a spill in this blog.
Our technicians are chemical clean up specialists that can handle and dispose of a number of dangerous substances including hazardous waste and bromine. We operate day and night, 365 days a year.
Get in touch
Contact us today to book our technicians for mercury spill cleaning on 0208 066 0360 or at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.
Speak with me today,
I’m here to help
By asking you a few questions either via phone or email I can immediately provide a realistic estimation of the cost.
You’re in good company. We’ve cleaned for the following commercial clients… View all
7 months ago
Ice did a brilliant job and I would highly recommend them. Reilly in the office booked everything in and was most helpful, and then Harry came and…
8 months ago
We had a pressing need to address concerns regarding a clean up of a Trauma site. Ice Services and Zoe were responsive, informative and professional.…
9 months ago
I’ve used ICE Cleaning a few times and the service has been absolutely terrific. Paul Gimenez was incredibly helpful and dealt with everything…
9 months ago
Power cleaned my external brick walls and look very good. They were punctual, hard working and respectful. I would recommend them with no hesitation.
9 months ago
Booked ICE Cleaning at short notice to help with the clean-up of our outdoor Event Site in Central London. Whilst they were unable to assist with our…
1 year ago
From start to finish, booking in with Jess in the office to Mark and Lee turning up for app 5-star service from start to finish..Quick turnaround…
1 year ago
We recently used ICE Cleaning to assist with the cleaning of communal areas and flats following a fire in a service riser. I initially spoke with…
1 year ago
Very professional and the sales team are very helpful and easy to deal with. The job was carried out quickly and professionally and the site team…
1 year ago
ICE Cleaning is a great company to work with! They have been cleaning our office for two years, and we are thrilled to have them as part of our team.
1 year ago
ICE Cleaning Solutions is a serious and responsible company that takes pride in their work.
1 year ago
Very impressed with ICE cleaning, really efficient and had good service. Dealt with my mould issue in my gym really well and couldn’t be…
1 year ago
We used ICE Cleaning at BT Sport for a Cage Warriors event in our studios. In previous years this event had caused multiple problems due to the risk…
1 year ago
ICE cleaning cleaned the floors and carpets of our school to a very high standard. The team was friendly and efficient and we were very happy with…
1 year ago
ICE cleaning completed a commercial clean for us. They were very professional, prompt, responsive and they event went back the next day to finish…
1 year ago
Zoe as the first point of contact was extremely helpful and efficient. The decontamination of toxic mercury from my mother’s garage was…
1 year ago
I was dealt with very professionally from first contact through to completion. The people are pleasant and knowledgeable, the work was carried out…
1 year ago
Fantastic service, the technician was very understanding and talked us through the process and was happy to answer any questions. Work was completed…
1 year ago
On calling ICE following a spillage, I first came into contact with Zoe. At all times Zoe was courteous, calm and professional. I asked her to call…
Why choose us?
- Cater to a wide variety of cleaning situations
- Nationwide coverage, available 24/7
- Cater to commercial and domestic clients
- Free survey provided prior to quotation
- Emergency response team
- Offer a bespoke service designed to suit all your needs
- All technicians hold professional health and safety qualifications, including BICSc, IOSH, Dewpoint Professional & Safe Contractor
We’re fully accredited
We place best practise, professional expertise and health and safety at the core of our business. We’re fully compliant with all legal obligations. You can view a list of our accreditations below, or visit our Health & Safety page for more information.