Mercury Spills
Even the smallest amount of mercury needs to be treated as a serious issue. DO NOT TOUCH spilled mercury with your bare hands or other part of your body.
- NEVER use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury. The vacuum will put mercury into the air and increase exposure.
- NEVER use a broom to clean up mercury. It will break the mercury into smaller droplets and spread them.
- NEVER pour mercury down a drain. It may lodge in the plumbing and cause future problems during plumbing repairs. If discharged, it can cause pollution of the septic tank or sewage treatment plant.
- NEVER wash mercury-contaminated items in a washing machine. Mercury may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
- NEVER walk around if your shoes might be contaminated with mercury. Contaminated clothing can also spread mercury around.
- Click here for more specific guidance
Federal Notification
Any time one pound or more of mercury is released to the environment (outside air, water, soil, or sewer system) the spiller must call the National Response Center (NRC).
The NRC hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (800) 424-8802.
Note that because mercury is heavy, only two tablespoons of mercury weigh about one pound.
Small Spills: A Dime-Sized Puddle
- Remove everyone, including pets, from the area where cleanup will take place.
- Shut door of impacted area.
- Turn off ventilation system.
- DO NOT ask for or allow children to help with the clean up.
- Remove all jewelry and watches from your hands as mercury will bond with the metal.
- Mercury can be cleaned up easily from the following surfaces: wood, linoleum, tile and any other flat or smooth surface.
- If a spill occurs on carpet, curtains, upholstery or other like surface, these contaminated items should be thrown away in accordance with the disposal guidelines outlined below.
- You only need to cut and remove the affected portion of the contaminated carpet for disposal.
Check List Items Needed to Clean Up a Small Mercury Spill
- 4 to 5 zip lock-type Bags
- Trash Bags (2 to 6 mm thick)
- Rubber or Latex Gloves
- Paper Towels
- Cardboard or Squeegee
- Eyedropper
- Duct Tape, or Shaving Cream and Small Paint Brush
- Flashlight
- Powdered Sulfur (optional)
Cleanup Instructions
- Put on rubber or latex gloves.
- If there are any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, place them on a paper towel. Fold the towel and place in a zip lock bag and label it Mercury: Hazardous.
- Use a squeegee or piece of cardboard to gather mercury beads into a pool. Make slow, sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming uncontrollable.
- A flashlight can help locate additional glistening beads of mercury that may be sticking to the surface or in small cracked areas of the surface.
- Note: Mercury can move surprisingly fast and far on hard, flat surfaces so be sure to inspect the entire room when searching.
- Use the eyedropper to collect or draw up the mercury beads. Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Place the paper towel in a zip lock bag and label it Mercury: Hazardous.
- After you remove larger beads, put shaving cream on a small paint brush or duct tape and gently dot the affected area to pick up smaller hard-to-see beads. Place the paint brush or duct tape in a zip lock bag and label it Mercury: Hazardous.
- It is OPTIONAL to use commercially available powdered sulfur to absorb the beads that are too small to see. The sulfur does two things: (1) it makes the mercury easier to see since there may be a color change from yellow to brown and (2) it binds the mercury so that it can be easily removed and suppresses the vapor of any missing mercury.
- Commercialized sulfur may be included in mercury spill kits or can be purchased individually. Both can be found at laboratory, chemical supply and hazardous materials response manufacturers. Note: When using powdered sulfur, do not breathe in the powder as it can be moderately toxic. Powdered sulfur can stain fabrics a dark color. Additionally, users should read and understand all product information before use.
- You may want to request the services of a contractor who has monitoring equipment to screen for mercury vapors. Consult your local health department or Utah DEQ to inquire about contractors in your area.
- Place all materials used with the cleanup, including gloves, in a trash bag. Place all mercury beads and objects into the trash bag. Secure the trash bag and label it Mercury Waste: Hazardous.
- Contact your local health department for proper disposal instructions in accordance with local, state and federal laws.
- Remember to keep the area well-ventilated to the outside (i.e., windows open and fans running) for at least 24 hours after your successful cleanup.
- If sickness occurs, seek medical attention immediately.
- Continue to keep pets and children out of cleanup area.
- Recommendation: If there are young children or pregnant women in the house, seek additional advice from your local or state health department.
Large Spills: More than a dime-sized puddle of Mercury
Caution: The general public can clean up small mercury spills from flat surfaces no greater than the amount contained in a thermometer. If you estimate your mercury spill to be greater than the amount in a thermometer, isolate the contaminated area and call your local health department or Utah DEQ.
Cleanup Instructions:
- Isolate the Area
- Turn Down the Temperature
- Open Windows
- Don't Let Anyone Walk Through the Mercury
- Don't Vacuum
- Contact your Local Health Department or Utah Department of Environmental Quality immediately for assistance
For More Information about Mercury and Its Health and Environmental Effects, go to or call:
- Utah Department of Environmental Quality - Hotline: 1-800-458-0145
- EPA Mercury Web Site
- Map of Local Health Departments
References
EPA Mercury Spills and Broken Thermometer web page
