Cleanup in the wake of a mercury spill can cost thousands of dollars, according to this public service announcement from the Michigan Department of Community Health.
“Most spills that are handled quickly and correctly pose no health threat,” said Christina Bush, health department toxicologist.
“You might be able to clean up a small spill, like that from a fever thermometer, on your own, but do not vacuum a mercury spill,” Bush said, “Doing so will contaminate your vacuum cleaner and increase the mercury vapor dramatically. If you are unable to clean up the spill right away, tape plastic (like garbage bags) on the mercury-contaminated carpet or flooring . This will reduce the amount of mercury vapor that could get into the air.”
Additional information on the safe disposal of mercury can be found at the health department’s mercury website.
The full series of health department mercury PSAs can be found here.