Mercury Thermometers
Background Information
Mercury can be found in a variety of non-laboratory items such as fluorescent light bulbs, thermometers, older pressure gauges, plumbing traps, manometers, barometer, thermostats, capacitors and vacuum pumps. When mercury is spilled, it forms beads or droplets that can accumulate in the tiniest places. These droplets can emit vapors into the air that are unseen and odorless. Breathing mercury vapors can be very dangerous, depending on the amount inhaled and the length of exposure to the contaminated air.
Amount of elemental mercury in various items:
- Fluorescent light bulbs: 10-40 mg
- Thermostats: 10-40 mg
- Capacitors: 10-40 mg
- Thermometers: 50 mg-3 g
- Older pressure gauges: 3-10 g
- Plumbing traps: 100 g-several pounds