Are Your Antiques a Hiding Spot for Mercury?

After Ideal Response team received a call from a concerned customer, who was worried about a broken pendulum in their grandfather clock. Thereafter, we realised it is necessary to share the risks of antiques that contain mercury and how to react to a spill. If you’re ever in this situation, remember to avoid common mistakes and reach out to us anytime for guidance and support.

Many of us might have heard about mercury poisoning, even if we do not understand its effects and risks. Most people are also aware that mercury is also found in some household items such as thermometers and old-style bulbs.

It is also not a surprise that mercury can also be found in the antique favourite -grandfather clocks. The clock’s pendulum contains a significantly higher amount of liquid metal than other household items.

The pendulum, used as a weight that swings at precisely timed intervals to keep the clock face accurate, contains up to one litre of mercury (note: just a few drops can raise indoor air concentrations of mercury to levels that may be harmful to health). Many of the clocks manufactured in the early to mid-17th century used mercury as the choice for weighing the pendulum before its risks and hazards were known.

It’s not just antique clocks that pose a risk either. Antique barometers also contain large amounts of liquid mercury. The range can vary anywhere from five ounces to six pounds. Because of the risk, certain mercury-containing antiques are banned from sale in various US states, although they escaped the EU ban, which focused on newly made instruments instead.

Most mercury-containing antiques do not pose an immediate risk of exposure, if they are sealed and handled correctly. Over time, the seals can deteriorate, causing the mercury to leak. Extreme care must be taken when moving items known to contain mercury as dropping them or knocking them over could cause damage, allowing the mercury to spill or leak.

It is advised to seek medical help when you experience symptoms from mercury exposure.

What actions should be taken after a mercury spill or leak:

If you experience a mercury spill that is more than two tablespoons in quantity (because mercury is heavy, two tablespoons weigh about one pound), it is recommended to immediately call a professional cleaning company, who can diligently handle the mercury spills and cleanup.

But, if you are unsure or need some advice or reassurance, always call the professionals, no matter the scale.

Whether you’re waiting for the help of a professional or attempting to clean up the mercury spill yourself, then the following steps are recommended for safety:

• Ventilate the area: Open windows wherever possible to enhance the ventilation of the room. However, close all internal doors and avoid opening any, as this could allow the mercury to travel to other areas. Keep the area well-ventilated for at least two hours after a successful cleanup of a mercury spill or leak.
• Wear gloves and change clothes: Never touch mercury with bare hands; it gets easily absorbed by skin, hair and nails. If you are attempting to clean up the mercury spill yourself, put on old clothes or overalls, which can later be discarded. Also, all the contaminated materials must be disposed of.
• Collect the mercury beads: Try to collect the mercury beads using cardboard or a sheet of plastic. This way, you can keep control of the material and touch the beads without the risk of releasing them into the air or breaking them down into smaller beads.
• Wipe any affected areas with a damp cloth: Always use a damp cloth while cleaning after the mercury spill to avoid creating any dust. Using a damp cloth will only collect the dust rather than releasing it into the air.

#Didyouknow: Mercury beads are reflective; use a torch to help you spot any missed beads.

Be cautious while disinfecting the area from the mercury spill. If proper precautions are not taken, the mercury exposure symptoms might be severe and need immediate medical help.

What should be avoided after the mercury spill or leak:

After the mercury spill or leak, there are several things to be mindful of not doing. Adhere to the below-listed instructions to ensure the safety of the people and premises, which also lowers the complexity of the cleanup process.

Here are the don’ts:

1. Do not use a vacuum to clean the mercury:
   • Using a vacuum to clean up the mercury makes the situation still more dangerous. It releases mercury into the air and leads to health risks for everyone nearby. Additionally, this also complicates the cleanup and decontamination process, potentially leading to higher costs.
2. Do not attempt to sweep up the mercury:
   • Using a broom to sweep up mercury risks breaking the mercury into smaller drops and spreading them even further. This is a big no and not suggested.
3. Do not touch the mercury with bare hands:
   • Mercury easily and quickly absorbs into the skin, hair and nails. Always use gloves when handling this shiny silver metal.
4. Do not discard any contaminated materials into normal waste:
   • Any contaminated materials, including cloths that were used to clean up the spill, must be discarded into a separate waste bag and disposed of at specified locations as advised by the local council, or by licensed waste carriers.
5. Do not dispose of mercury down the drain:
   • Disposing of the mercury into the drain can clog it, lead to other plumbing issues and contaminate the sewage systems.

What are the risks of mercury exposure:

Inhaling mercury vapour can be hazardous to human health and harms the nervous, digestive and immune systems. It may also damage the lungs and kidneys and might also be fatal in some cases.

Mercury is also corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may lead to kidney toxicity if ingested. Symptoms of mercury exposure include neurological and behavioural disorders after inhalation, ingestion, or direct skin contact.

The symptoms of mercury in the body also differs from person to person.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning:

Small amounts of mercury are non-toxic, but problems arise, especially when mercury is inhaled. If you suspect that you or someone you know has been exposed to harmful levels of mercury, seek immediate medical advice from your GP.

Some of the common symptoms of mercury poisoning include:

• a cough
• breathlessness
• chest pains, a tight chest or a burning feeling in your chest
• feeling irritable and nervous
• shaking (tremor)
• coughing up blood
• breathing difficulties

IMPORTANT: If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms after mercury exposure, we strongly recommend seeking medical attention immediately.

Act quickly and avoid risks

Mercury spills or leaks require prompt and professional handling to prevent serious health risks and environmental damage. Our team is ready to tackle any kind of mercury spills or leaks. Your safety is our top priority. We are just a call away. Contact us today!