Mercury is a metal that has a liquid state at room temperature. Its vapors are volatile and poisonous. It is widely used in both industry and household appliances. Its toxic effect on children is especially great (including in the prenatal period). Therefore, it is necessary to know about the symptoms of poisoning and how to clean the premises not only for professional doctors and environmentalists, but also at the household level for the entire population.
Properties, applications, value of mercury
Mercury and its compounds have been known to mankind for a long time. Initially, its use was of a medical nature: a laxative, with volvulus, the treatment of syphilis, as a diuretic or antiseptic. Now it is used as a component in agriculture (in the production of pesticides), in the metallurgical and chemical industries, as well as in various engineering.
Mercury is found in thermometers and barometers, that is, in measuring instruments for both domestic and industrial purposes. Amalgam-based dental fillings are a mercury-based composite. It is also part of the mirrors. Lighting devices (including energy-saving ones) are based on connectionsthis metal. It can also be used as an additive in skin lightening cosmetics.
In addition, mercury is found in many products: cocoa beans, fish and seafood (mackerel and tuna are especially rich), nuts, canned food. Usually in small quantities. However, it is worth limiting the consumption of these products.
Symptoms of poisoning
Mercury belongs to the first hazard class of substances. Its vapors are extremely volatile and poisonous. That is why, in case of infection indoors at home or in a hospital, measures must be taken.
If poisoning occurs with a small amount of mercury, the symptoms will not appear immediately. There will be a cumulative effect. The following symptoms will appear:
- Sleep disturbance.
- Emotional irritability.
- Headaches.
- Violation of smell.
- Tremor.
- Bleeding and irritation of the gums, the appearance of a dark border on them.
If demercurization (removal, neutralization) was not carried out in a timely manner, then you can feel such signs of poisoning of the body (usually after 6-24 hours), such as:
- Acute headache.
- General weakness, lethargy.
- Increased body temperature.
- Indigestion (diarrhea, diarrhea), acute pain in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Gums begin to ache and bleed.
- Possible kidney damage (may be fatal in a week in acute cases).
If poisoning does occur, call an ambulance immediately. As a first aid, you need to drink milk (about one liter), take activated charcoal (at the rate of a tablet per 10 kg of the patient's weight). Shaken egg white can be used as a sorbent. Laxatives are allowed. Before the ambulance arrives, rinse your mouth with a 5% zinc chloride solution.
What is demercurization?
This is the removal of mercury and its chemical compounds by mechanical, physical, chemical methods to prevent poisoning of animals, people.
Demercurization of mercury. Instruction
In general, all activities can be divided into physical and chemical methods. As a rule, it is necessary to physically remove the main amount of mercury from the surface, and subsequent treatments with deactivating solutions to minimize contamination of the room. The following are ways to process premises at home and in specialized institutions.
Demercurization of mercury at home
Devices containing compounds of this metal must be handled with particular care. However, if the thermometer breaks, mercury demercurization is a necessary procedure.
Use personal protective equipment - disposable gloves, shoe covers, if possible, clothes that can be thrown away. First you need to collect all the mercury in a tightly closed container filled with water. Collection is best done withrubber syringe, disposable syringe. You can use a cloth or paper (for example, napkins) soaked in sunflower oil. The oil will make the collection process easier. The material used in this way is placed in the same container with water. After the disposal of this reagent, these dishes must be handed over to the regional point of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, where specialists will work with them. Do not dispose of mercury with household waste.
If mercury has spilled onto the carpet and it is impossible to completely destroy it, it is necessary to fold it from the edges to the center so that the liquid metal remains only on its surface. After taking the carpet outside and placing it as vertically as possible, you need to carefully collect all the mercury particles as mentioned above. Avoid getting mercury on the ground - it will be contaminated, which means that pets and children who are more likely to come into contact with the soil during play will be susceptible to poisoning. You can lay fabric, oilcloth under the carpet. After that, gently pat it out and leave it out in the open for at least two days.
Neutralization of mercury in he althcare facilities
In medical and preventive, as well as public institutions (schools, kindergartens), the treatment is carried out even more carefully, because more people can suffer here. First, physical elimination is performed as described above. Then produce a chemical deactivation. It is necessary to process all affected surfaces with a one percent solution of iodine. Leave for exposure (exposure) for 6 hours. Meanwhile, prepare a special solution: copper sulfate (30 g) is dissolved in 1liter of water, add 180 grams of sodium sulfite, completely dissolve (until the precipitate disappears) and add forty grams of soda. The resulting composition is also wiped on all surfaces.
Also, media that has been exposed to mercury can be treated with a solution of soap (40g) and baking soda (50g) per liter of water.
Public institutions should be provided with special demercurization kits, which already contain everything necessary for the neutralization of this agent and will not require so much time to prepare chemical reagents. Such kits can be used at home with great efficiency. In the future, ventilation and ozonation of the room are recommended. Instructions for mercury demercurization in he althcare facilities are subject to strict regulation. All cases must be reported to the appropriate authorities. After the measures taken, the amount of vapors and the degree of safety of the premises are measured.
What should not be allowed during demircurization?
- Don't vacuum spilled mercury.
- When removing, do not break it into small drops - this will evaporate faster. Do not allow pets or children to come into contact with the infected area.
- Mercury cannot be disposed of with household waste. After collecting it in a sealed container with water, it must be transferred to the regional center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
