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What Are The Negative Effects Of Broken Mercury Thermometer?
Posted on
Tue, 9 Dec 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 9 Dec 2014
Answered on
Mon, 5 Jan 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I broke a mercury thermometer at work, I cleaned up as best as I could following proper procedure, I disposed of the clothes I was wearing, but now I am terrified I brought some home on my clothes (I have two small children) or that as I still work in the same place that I am exposed to it everyday or I could bring some home on my shoes that I missed while cleaning up. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Please, there is no reason to be concerned anymore.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this accident and all the disturbing thoughts this has caused you. It is one reason to be careful and take precautions but another to allow your conscious thoughts to affect you. There is no more reason to be afraid of mercury and its possible consequences as you cleaned and disposed off as recommended. Working at the same site has no increased risk because of what happened. The amount of mercury in these thermometers is for real so tiny that it takes several to ever get to any meaningful exposure levels.
Please, be calm and relaxed about this. There is no reason to get too worried at this time. You, your children and the jobsite are all safe.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Please, there is no reason to be concerned anymore.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this accident and all the disturbing thoughts this has caused you. It is one reason to be careful and take precautions but another to allow your conscious thoughts to affect you. There is no more reason to be afraid of mercury and its possible consequences as you cleaned and disposed off as recommended. Working at the same site has no increased risk because of what happened. The amount of mercury in these thermometers is for real so tiny that it takes several to ever get to any meaningful exposure levels.
Please, be calm and relaxed about this. There is no reason to get too worried at this time. You, your children and the jobsite are all safe.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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