We have all used the mercury thermometer at some time in our lives to measure body temperature. It is an instrument that has been widely used for many things apart from being used to take body temperature. Due to the fact that this type of thermometer triggers certain risks during its use, it has been decided to replace it with new digital thermometers. A mercury thermometer can be dangerous if it breaks. Therefore, we are going to explain what to do if a mercury thermometer breaks. Is it toxic?
In this article we will tell you all the characteristics, uses and what to do if a mercury thermometer breaks.
Mercury thermometer
These thermometers are nothing more than an instrument that is built by a Polish physicist and engineer named Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit. It is a bulb that extends through a thin glass tube inside which is the metal mercury. Keep in mind that the volume that the metal occupies within the tube is less than the total volume of the tube. In order to know what the temperature values are, there are some numbers that indicate the temperature range. When asked why mercury was used for this type of thermometer, even though it is dangerous, it is answered that it is extremely easy to change its volume depending on the temperature.
That is, the higher or lower the temperature exists, it will expand more or less. Thanks to this operation it was possible to mark a before and after in all science in its entirety. The development of the mercury thermometer could facilitate the advancement of science in this regard. Therefore, it is a type of instrument which is considered to this day as one of the best inventions.
However, although it has become one of the best inventions, they are not used today. Although the range of temperatures it can cover is quite large, it could be extended even further with the introduction of nitrogen or any other inert gas. And it is that these thermometers have a generalized danger for their different uses.
Uses of the mercury thermometer
The mercury thermometers they were used in several areas other than taking body temperature. There are still homes in which these thermometers are seen on the front door to measure the ambient temperature. They were also used in hospitals to measure the temperature of patients. Other areas in which the mercury thermometer was used were blood banks, incubators, chemical experiments, ovens, etc. Industry was a sector that also used the mercury thermometer for power plants, to know the status and temperature of pipes, refrigeration and heating equipment, food preservation, ships, bakeries, warehouses, etc. It is worth mentioning that everything related to the kitchen also used these thermometers.
Know the value of temperature it was essential to produce products or confirm certain patterns. We know that mercury is a natural element whose atomic number is 80. It has been frequently in demand for years in the world of meteorology since they were part of meteorological instruments such as barometers, manometers and other devices. Some studies claim that the use of this metal is not safe for the population, so it has been withdrawn from the market little by little.
What to do if a mercury thermometer breaks
The laws dictate that no instrument containing mercury can be traded. And it is that mercury has been shown to have a high risk for health and the environment. Among its consequences is the contamination of water, soil and animals.
The danger of mercury lies in its vapor. If a mercury thermometer breaks, it will generate a toxic vapor that can be inhaled. When mercury is spilled, it must be collected immediately before there are other negative consequences. Most often, people don't know what to do if a mercury thermometer breaks. In these types of situations, under no circumstances should a vacuum cleaner or broom be used to clean it. It is also not advisable to pick up the remains of the mercury with bare hands or flush the liquid down the toilet or sink.
As we mentioned before, mercury is capable of contaminating thousands of liters of water. If we pour the remains of mercury down the sink, we will be polluting thousands of liters unnecessarily. Being a highly polluting element, it is capable of causing serious damage in small amounts. Given the consistency of this element, when it falls to the ground, it divides into smaller drops and can expand on any side. As soon as the thermometer is dropped and liquid is released, it is best to remove children and pets from the area and open the windows or doors to ventilate the home.
One of the best tips is use a cloth, gloves and masks to clean it. In this way, we will be protected against any possibility of inhaling the toxic vapor. If the thermometer falls on a flat area, it is much easier to clean than if the floor has cracks through which the small divisions of the metal can be cast. It is necessary to ensure that you have a good review and observe all the drops of mercury in the soil, since it can contaminate and cause serious problems. If we forget to collect some of the drops and any person or animal touches or inhales the toxic gas, can lead to poisoning, brain damage, digestive and kidney problems.
Thermometers less toxic than mercury
Given the danger of these thermometers, it is better to have a thermometer buying guide to choose those that can replace it safely and effectively. There are many different types of thermometers that are not dangerous and have a very high performance.
I hope that with this information you can learn what to do if a mercury thermometer breaks.