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Mar 26, 2010 |
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Mercury: What you spill will cost you
Recent reports of mercury spills prompt reminders, guidelines
Mercury (a.k.a. Quicksilver) is something many of us remember as being “super cool.” In metallic form the blob pearls into shiny balls, can be lit on fire, and makes for flashy science experiments never failing to disappoint. Despite its intrigue, exposure to Mercury (more specifically its vapors) is toxic and damaging to many areas of the body.
Two recent reports of mercury spills in schools are alarming in two respects. First, no school should be using mercury-containing instruments given its known negative effects. Second is the high cost of cleaning up a mercury spill: for a recent spill on a non-carpeted surface in a Michigan school the clean-up cost was approximately $8,500; and for a carpeted surface the clean-up cost was approximately $13,000, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH).
In a time when Michigan schools need every last penny, spending $13,000 to clean up a mercury spill seems unnecessary, not to mention hazardous to everyone’s health.
That’s why the Division of Environmental Health Division of MDCH has provided the following reminders of the law banning mercury use in schools. Be sure to check out the resources they provided as well. For more information, contact Lisa Quiggle, Toxicologist with MDCH, at (517) 373-4889 or quiggleL@michigan.gov.
About mercury
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mercury is a neurotoxic substance that can produce a wide range of health effects depending on the amount and duration of the exposure. Tremors, inability to walk, convulsions, and even death can occur when exposed to mercury in high doses, and other documented exposure effects include insomnia, irritability, mood swings, changes in nerve responses, weakness, and headaches. It can also damage the gastrointestinal tract, the kidneys and/or the lungs, and children tend to see effects with less exposure than adults.
About the law
According to Public Act 376 in 2000 (Enrolled Senate Bill #1262):
Michigan's public and private K-12 schools were required to phase out and eliminate mercury use in the classroom and in the health (nurse's) office. This law applies to liquid (free flowing) Hg(0), as well as, mercury-containing instruments such as thermometers, barometers, manometers, and sphygmomanometers (blood pressure gauges). K-12 schools had until December 31, 2004, to complete this process.
(http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_29693_4175-160230--,00.html)
9 steps you can take to become a Mercury-Free School:
http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ead-p2-mercury-mercinschools.pdf
Quick facts for School Nurses:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mercury/docs/MercurySchoolNurse.pdf
Other resources on dealing with Mercury:
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