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)