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Resources | References | Test
Mercury is a naturally-occurring element that is present throughout the environment. "Mercury contamination results from exposure through the air, water, food or soil, or through direct contact. Exposure to metallic mercury (as opposed to methylmercury that is ingested) occurs when it is not stored in a closed container. Contamination may include the spilling of metallic mercury on clothes, furniture, carpets, floors, walls, the natural environment, and even the human body. Metallic mercury and its vapors are extremely difficult to remove from items such as clothes, furniture, carpet, floors, and walls. The vapors will also accumulate in walls and other structures in contaminated rooms. The contamination can remain for months or years, posing a risk to exposed individuals" (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1997).
"In the human body, mercury accumulates in the liver, kidney, brain, and blood. Mercury may cause acute or chronic health effects. Children exposed to metallic mercury for long periods may have trouble learning in school (Centers for Disease Control, 1997). Mercury is a recognized developmental neurotoxicant linked to mental retardation, gait and visual disturbances, neurological damage, and impairment of language, attention and memory. Repeated exposure to relatively low toxic levels can cause muscle tremor, irritability, personality changes or gingivitis." ( Reeder, R., 1995, p.2) Acute exposure (i.e., short term, high dose) is not common today due to greater precautions and decreased handling. However, acute effects may include severe gastrointestinal damage, cardiovascular collapse, or kidney failure, all of which could be fatal. Inhalation of 1-3 mg/m3 for 2-5 hours may cause headaches, salivation, metallic taste in the mouth, chills, cough, fever, tremors, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, fatigue, or lung irritation. Symptoms may be delayed in onset for a number of hours" (Michigan State University, 1996).
If a mercury spill occurs, there are specific methods that should be used for clean-up. First, notify the hazardous materials team, which may be part of the local fire department. A spill will require the evacuation of persons and animals from the contamination site, the use of special equipment and ventilation, and the need to assess the effects to people who have come in contact with the contamination site. For an explanation of this process see the website for Health Care Without Harm.
| NURSING ACTIONS
Nurses can play a critical role in reducing mercury exposure from school settings, and consequently reducing mercury from our overall environment, including the waste stream. All mercury containing products in the school should be identified and replaced. Replace mercury thermometers with mercury-free ones. Make arrangements to safely dispose of whatever metallic mercury you might have in your school by calling your state department of the environment and asking for guidance from the hazardous materials section. Do not throw mercury products in the garbage. Garbage is incinerated or land-filled; both of these processes will release the mercury back to the environment. If no chemical management plan exists in the school, the nurse should advocate for the development of a health and safety committee (i.e. administrators, health care providers, staff, students, and parents) who can be responsible for the development and implementation of a chemical management plan, as well as an emergency response plan. Outside consultation should be obtained on areas that are beyond the scope of expertise represented in the committee. Accident Spill Response Detailed instructions of how to clean up mercury spills can be found on the EPA web site at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mercury/faq/spills.htm |
| Possible Sources of Mercury in Schools (This list is not inclusive.) | |||
| Product | Description | What To Do | Mercury-free Alternative |
| Thermometers | Silver liquid in tube | Bring to hazardous waste facility | Alcohol or digital thermometer |
| Thermostats | All non-electrical models | When it needs replacing, call the national thermostat recycling program | Electronic "set back" models can help on energy bills |
| Fluorescent lights | Light bulbs in the form of long tubes | Continue to use these, but recycle them at the hazardous waste facility. Do not crush | None, although some new bulbs have less mercury than others |
| Old alkaline batteries | Bought before 1990 | Bring to hazardous waste facility | Rechargeable batteries |
| Maze toys | contain a blob of mercury |
Bring to hazardous waste facility | Mercury-free games |
| Old toys that light up or make noise | May contain mercury button batteries | Bring to hazardous waste facility | Toys that don't light up or make noise |
| Chemicals in school lab | May contain mercury products | Identify and bring to hazardous waste facility for disposal |
Mercury free chemicals |
| Manometers on blood pressure cuffs | Contains mercury |
Identify and bring to hazardous waste facility for disposal |
Replace with non-mercury cuff |
| Arts and crafts supplies | May contain mercury | Identify and bring to hazardous waste facility for disposal |
Mercury free supplies |
| Cleaning products | May contain mercury | Identify and bring to hazardous waste facility for disposal |
Purchase non-toxic or less toxic cleaning products |
| Motion switches | May be found in cars in the auto shop | Use care not to break the switches if removing; bring to a hazardous waste facility |
Use non-mercury switches if available |
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© 2001 American Nurses Association