Re: Is mercury from a thermometer enough to harm someone?

Dear Elisabeth,
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has issued the following 
information regarding the danger of mercury poisioning from breaking a 
thermometer.  The information is contained on one of their web pages at
 http://www.
epa.gov/grtlakes/bnsdocs/hg/thermfaq.html#top


Does a broken fever thermometer really pose a health risk to the consumer?
  
        Breaking one fever thermometer is unlikely to threaten the health 
of the consumer in most circumstances, but under some conditions, the 
mercury from a fever thermometer can seriously harm the consumer and his or 
her family.  If the consumer either fails to clean up mercury because he or 
she is unaware that it has broken or because it is difficult to gain access 
to the mercury (for instance because it has seeped through a carpet), then 
all of the mercury will eventually volatilize and could reach dangerous 
levels in indoor air. Moreover, if the consumer attempts to clean up a 
mercury spill with a vacuum cleaner, of if the mercury is heated for some  
reason, the mercury will vaporize quickly, increasing the risk. The 
danger of significant mercury exposure is greatest in a small, 
poorly-ventilated room.

        The medical literature contains several cases of serious illness 
and even death resulting from exposure to mercury from fever thermometers. 
Most, but not all, of these cases involve young children, who are known to 
be most susceptible to the effects of mercury. 


The same web page also contains the following information regarding the  
name of an individual at the EPA who can be contacted if you have 
additional questions.
Contact: Alexis Cain, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 (back
        to Top)

        (312) 886-7018
        cain.alexis@epa.gov

I hope that this answers your question.


Kevin K. Caldwell