Mercury is a metal that has a liquid state at room temperature. Its vapors are volatile and poisonous. It is widely used both in industry and in household appliances. Its toxic effect on children is especially great (including during the prenatal period). Therefore, the symptoms of poisoning and methods of cleaning the premises must be known not only to professional doctors and ecologists, but also at the household level to the entire population.
Properties, uses, value of mercury
Mercury and its compounds have been known to mankind for a long time. Initially, its use was of a medical nature: laxative, with inversion of the intestines, 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 a variety of techniques.
Mercury is found in thermometers and barometers, that is, in measuring instruments for both domestic and industrial use. Amalgam-based dental fillings are a mercury-based composite. She is part of the mirrors. Lighting devices (including energy-saving ones) are based on compounds of this 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, and canned goods. Generally in small quantities. However, you should limit the consumption of these products.
Symptoms of Poisoning
Mercury belongs to the first hazard class of substances. Her couples are extremely volatile and poisonous. That is why in case of infection with it indoors at home or in the hospital, it is necessary to take measures.
If a small amount of mercury poisoning has occurred, the symptoms will not appear immediately. The cumulative effect will work. The following symptoms will appear:
- Sleep disturbance.
- Emotional irritability.
- Headache.
- Violation of smell.
- Tremor.
- Bleeding and irritation of the gums, the appearance of rims on them of a dark color.
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.
- Fever.
- Indigestion (diarrhea, diarrhea), acute pain in the digestive tract.
- Gums begin to hurt and bleed.
- Possible kidney damage (in acute cases, can lead to death in a week).
If poisoning does occur, call an ambulance immediately. As first aid, you need to drink milk (about one liter), take activated charcoal (at the rate of a tablet per 10 kg of patient weight). Shaken egg protein can be used as a sorbent. The use of a laxative is 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 and people.
Demercurization of mercury. Instruction manual
In general, all activities can be divided into physical and chemical methods. As a rule, it is necessary to physically remove the bulk of the mercury from the surface, and subsequent treatment with deactivating solutions to minimize contamination of the room. The following are methods for processing rooms at home and in specialized institutions.
Mercury demercurization at home
Devices containing compounds of this metal must be handled with particular care. However, if a thermometer crashes, demercurization of mercury is a necessary procedure.
Use personal protective equipment - disposable gloves, shoe covers, possibly clothing 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 with a rubber syringe, a disposable syringe. You can use a cloth or paper (for example, napkins) soaked in sunflower oil. Oil will facilitate the collection process. The material used in this way is placed in the same container with water. After disposing of this reagent, this ware must be taken to a regional point of the Ministry of Emergencies, where specialists will work with it. Do not dispose of mercury with household waste.
If mercury 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. Having carried the carpet out onto the street and positioning it as vertically as possible, it is necessary to carefully collect all mercury particles as mentioned above. Do not let mercury get on the ground - it will be infected, which means that pets and children who are more likely to contact the soil during games will be poisoned. You can lay fabric, oilcloth under the carpet. After that, gently pat him out and leave him in the open for at least two days.
Neutralization of mercury in health facilities
In treatment and prevention, 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 chemical deactivation. It is necessary to process all exposed to the surface with a one percent solution of iodine. Leave for exposure (exposure) for 6 hours. Meanwhile, a special solution is prepared: copper sulfate (30 g) is dissolved in 1 liter of water, 180 grams of sodium sulfite is added, completely dissolved (until the precipitate disappears) and forty grams of soda are added. The resulting composition also wipe all surfaces.
In addition, carriers in contact with mercury can be treated with a soap solution (40 g) with soda (50 g) per liter of water.
Public institutions should be equipped with special demercurization kits, which already contain everything necessary for the neutralization of this agent and do not require so much time for the preparation of chemicals. Such kits can be used at home with great efficiency. Further recommended ventilation and ozonation of the room. Instructions for mercury demercurization in healthcare facilities are subject to strict regulation. All cases must be reported to the appropriate services. After the measures taken, the amount of vapor and the degree of safety of the room are measured.
What can not be allowed with demirkurizatsii?
- Do not collect spilled mercury with a vacuum cleaner.
- When removing, do not break it into small drops - so evaporation will occur faster. Keep pets or children away from the infected area.
- Mercury must not be disposed of with household waste. After collection in an airtight container with water, it must be transferred to the regional center of the Ministry of Emergencies.
- Do not reuse tissue, syringes, or other equipment used to mercury demycurize.