Yes, elemental mercury is highly volatile and readily evaporates at room temperature. This property makes it especially hazardous when spilled or exposed to air, particularly indoors where vapors can accumulate.
Key Facts About Mercury Vapor
- Elemental mercury vaporizes continuously at room temperature, and this rate increases significantly when heated.
- Inhalation of mercury vapor is considered the most dangerous and common route of exposure for elemental mercury.
- Mercury vapor is invisible and odorless, making it undetectable without specialized equipment.
- Even small spills, such as from a broken thermometer or fluorescent bulb, can emit harmful levels of vapor over extended periods if not properly cleaned.
Health Risks from Vapor Exposure
Once inhaled, mercury vapor is efficiently absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream. It can then cross the blood-brain barrier and placenta, leading to significant neurotoxic effects and impacting fetal development. Symptoms of exposure can vary based on dose and duration, and may include:
- Neurological: Tremors (especially in the hands), irritability, anxiety, memory problems, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating.
- Physical: Fatigue, headaches, muscle weakness, and respiratory irritation or "mercury pneumonitis" in acute high exposures.
- Long-term exposure: May lead to permanent damage to the kidneys, central nervous system, and can affect the immune system.
Prevention and Safe Cleanup
- Prioritize the use of digital thermometers and other mercury-free devices to eliminate the risk.
- Never use a vacuum cleaner (household or shop vac) to clean mercury spills, as this will vaporize the mercury and spread it into the air, increasing exposure.
- If a spill occurs, immediately ventilate the area by opening windows (if safe and weather permitting). Isolate the area to prevent tracking.
- For significant spills, or if unsure, contact local health authorities or hazardous materials professionals for guidance on safe cleanup and disposal.
- Small mercury spills (e.g., a single thermometer) require careful cleanup: wear gloves, consolidate droplets using stiff paper or an eyedropper, and place in an airtight, sealed container. Store sealed container outside.
- Seal and properly dispose of all contaminated items (including cleaning materials) through a designated hazardous waste collection facility. Do not put them in regular trash.
Real-World Incidents Involving Mercury Vapor
- Minnesota School Spill (2004): A student brought a jar of elemental mercury to school, leading to contamination. Over 50 students and staff showed elevated mercury levels, and the school required costly hazmat cleanup and was closed for weeks. [CDC Report]
- Indiana Home Incident (2008): A homeowner spilled elemental mercury while attempting to remove an old gas regulator from their basement. The entire family was exposed, and the house had to be vacated and undergo extensive decontamination. [ATSDR Fact Sheet]
- Hospital Thermometer Break (Example): Incidents in healthcare settings, such as a broken mercury thermometer in a neonatal unit, have led to evacuations and extensive monitoring due to the high vulnerability of infants to mercury vapor.