A small spill is considered an amount about the size of a dime.
Contain the Spill
Mercury will bead up and spread readily. If the further spread of mercury beads is possible, place a barrier such as kitty litter, sand, towels etc. around the spill site. If powdered sulfur or uniting agent is available, use it to contain the spill. Pay close attention to floor openings such as air vents and drains. Place barriers or tape around the site to prevent traffic through it. Be sure to keep children and pets away.
Note: If the mercury was vacuumed, exposed to heat or entered the ventilation system, refer to Large Spill Guidance. Higher mercury vapor levels may exist and could require additional protective equipment and professional expertise.
Evacuate the Spill Area
Before people leave the spill site, be sure they had not come in contact with or stepped in the mercury. When directing people out of the area, be sure to avoid traffic going through the spill site. Those who may have come into contact with mercury should be directed to the nearest safe location and asked to stay there until contamination can be assessed and clean up completed. Once immediately outside of the spill area, contaminated (direct contact with mercury) shoes and clothes should be removed, double-bagged and sealed. Not doing so can result in mercury being tracked around the building or home, making the situation worse.
Turn Off Ventilating or Air Conditioning Systems
If feasible, turn off heating, ventilation or air conditioning systems for the parts of the building affected by the spill and seal the ventilation openings (both vents and returns).
Close Interior Doors to the Room
Close doors leading directly to the spill site and open exterior doors and windows of the room where the spill occurred. When not occupied, seal the door with plastic and tape.
Open Windows and Exhaust Room Air to the Outdoors
Place a fan in an exterior room window blowing air outside.
Assemble Clean Up Supplies
Many clean up supplies are available from hardware stores. Mercury spill kits area also available from suppliers (See the resource links below). The following are some common household articles that could be used to construct an in-home mercury cleanup kit:
- eye dropper - to pick up the mercury
- plastic container with lid - to hold the mercury
- plastic sheeting - to provide a clean surface on which equipment can be stored
- powdered zinc or sulfur* - to bind with the mercury
- rubber squeegee - to help recover the mercury and spill powder
- tape; wide, duct, or masking – to seal doors and vents and to help pick up mercury beads
- tray or box - to hold mercury storage container
- plastic bags with zipper seal – to store mercury-contaminated debris and equipment
- plastic dust pan - to help recover mercury and spill powder
- rubber gloves - to protect hands from mercury contact
- syringe without needle - to pick up mercury
- trash bags - for containing mercury waste
- playing cards or index cards - for collecting mercury beads
Dress Appropriately
Wear gloves (rubber), clothes and shoes that can be discarded if they become contaminated. Wear safety goggles if available. Place Tyvek booties or use plastic bags as booties over shoes to prevent your shoes from being contaminated and allowing you to simply remove the bags from your shoes upon leaving the room.
Pick Up All Visible Mercury Droplets
Inspect the spill area with a bright light to help illuminate any hidden droplets. Clean up any beads of mercury by using a squeegee or index card and plastic dustpan. With the card, gently push the mercury droplets away from any carpet, fabric, or porous surfaces and toward other droplets to combine them into larger droplets. Slide droplets onto a sheet of rigid paper like an index card. Never use a broom on a mercury spill because it will only scatter the mercury droplets making them harder to find and pick up.
Gently Place Mercury Into an Unbreakable Plastic Container
Use a plastic jar or double-bagged ziplock baggie to deposit the mercury into (avoid using glass because it can easily break). If necessary suction off the droplets using an eyedropper or syringe. Adhesive tape strips may also be used to clean up any tiny remaining mercury droplets. Place the plastic container inside a plastic bag to provide additional safety. Tighten each lid securely so that liquid and vapors will be contained.
Consider Removal and Disposal of Contaminated Carpeting or Other Soft Items
Consider removal of carpet and other soft items that received direct mercury contact. It takes very little mercury in air to create unhealthy levels of vapor. Further, vacuuming any surface with mercury will make more vapor. Factors that affect the severity of risk from mercury in carpet or soft-surfaced items include the amount of mercury spilled, how much was recovered, the type of room and whether young children or pregnant women frequent the room. Local health departments and spill response contractors may be able to monitor for the presence of mercury vapor on contaminated items. However, private testing may be costly. The value of the item should be weighed against such cost and the piece of mind offered by the testing and/or removal of the contaminated item. When removing contaminated items, double wrap them in plastic trash bags and contact your local health unit or the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality for proper disposal. (Do not expose to heat or incinerate).
Sprinkle Powdered Sulfur or Zinc on the Spill Site
Powdered sulfur or zinc will bind to any remaining mercury. These materials are supplied in commercially available mercury spill kits. Sulfur can often be purchased separately from garden supply stores. Apply over hard to reach areas such as cracks and crevices to minimize the release of mercury vapors. In instances where furniture or carpet has been exposed to mercury, seek advice from your local health unit, the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality or a spill response contractor. Once used to collect mercury, the powder must be disposed properly. Vapor suppressing solutions are also available (The use of powders on carpets is not recommended, as later vacuuming will produce more mercury vapor).
Check Carefully for Missed Mercury
A very bright flashlight may be used to better illuminate mercury beads in the spill area. Sprinkling powdered sulfur over the spill area may also help identify missed mercury, as the powder will turn brown on contact with mercury. Collect the powder as was done with mercury beads. Special precautions should be taken if mercury was spilled in a high traffic area or a confined area where children or infants play. Young children playing on the floor are particularly at risk to mercury’s effects on the central nervous system.
Set Aside Everything You Think Might Be Contaminated With Mercury
Package materials securely and label as "Mercury-Contaminated." Specific labeling and disposal requirements may differ depending on whether the spill occurred at a household or at a regulated business. Clothing or personal belongings that may be contaminated can be tested following the guidance under Large Spills to see if they can be safely returned for use.
Monitor Spill Zone for Mercury Vapors
Even if the impacted area appears clean, there may still be microscopic beads or hidden residual quantities of mercury present that emit vapors. For larger-sized spills, it may be necessary to professionally test mercury vapor levels in the immediate area. If mercury is detected, re-clean the impacted area using previously mentioned procedures and repeat testing until levels fall to within safe parameters. If mercury vapor levels remain high even after repeated cleaning, a more aggressive action is probably needed. Guidance for acceptable levels for re-occupancy is offered below.
Continue Ventilation
Ventilate as much as possible to completely air out the room or spill zone with outside air.
