Hospital for Children
Parent Education - Caring for Kids
Mercury Myths And Realities
If a mercury thermometer breaks what should you do? Could your health be at
risk? These are two of the most common questions asked of the experts at the
Maryland Poison Center at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Below
you'll find the answers and more facts about mercury.
- Mercury is a shiny, odorless, poisonous metal that is a liquid at room temperature.
- There are three types of mercury: elemental, organic and inorganic.
- Elemental mercury is found in thermometers, barometers, blood-pressure devices,
fluorescent lights, batteries and is used in dental offices.
- In 2000, 4,186 cases of mercury exposure were reported in the United States.
- Most mercury poisoning occurs from breathing contaminated air or from ingesting
contaminated water or food.
- Long-term exposure to a large amount of mercury could cause neurological
problems.
- Short-term exposure to a small amount of mercury is not likely to cause
health problems.
- The amount of mercury in an oral/rectal thermometer is not enough to be
toxic. If a child were to ingest mercury from a thermometer, it should not
cause any health problems.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents use a digital
thermometer as opposed to a mercury thermometer when taking a child's temperature.
- Place a mercury thermometer in a sealable plastic bag when throwing it away.
- To clean up a broken thermometer, use two sheets of paper to pick up the
beads of mercury. Then place them in a plastic bag before disposing of the
material.
- Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury.
- For a larger mercury spill, contact the Maryland
Department of the Environment 24 hours a day at 410-974-3551.
- For questions and poison emergencies, call the Maryland
Poison Center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-222-1222.
This page was last updated on: May 16, 2008.
For more information about UMHC or to make an appointment,
please call
1-800-492-5538 (patients) or 1-800-373-4111 (physicians).
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