Mercury Spill Clean-up Procedures
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Mercury (Hg) is defined as a hazardous material by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Moreover, mercury is a toxic substance that can result in severe health effects. Therefore, all mercury "spills," including droplets of mercury from a broken laboratory thermometer, need to be cleaned up following safe and environmentally sound procedures.
Questions regarding mercury or spill procedures should be directed to your professor, a laboratory supervisor, your own supervisor or the UWM Department of University Safety & Assurances (US&A). Starting in January 2002, departments have to pay for cleanup of mercury in one of three ways:
- Call US&A for list of outside contractors
- Pay US&A a flat fee of $50 for cleanup services
- Have the person who spilled the mercury learn how to use the campus mercury vacuum and have them clean up the spill. The Department of University Safety & Assurances will provide, at no charge, mercury air-monitoring, advice and support.
The following video clip (courtesy of Minuteman International, Inc., Addison, IL) shows how to replace the HEPA filter bag in the mercury vacuum: Mercury Vacuum HEPA Filter Bag Replacement Instructions
For further information on mercury spills on campus, please contact Environmental Affairs at x4999 or x2883.
Information on Household Spill Clean Up:
- Mercury Fact Sheet, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
- Mercury Spill Response, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
- Cleaning Up Small Mercury Spills, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
- Cleaning Up Large Mercury Spills, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
- Cleaning Up a Broken Fever Thermometer, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services