Basically about a week ago I broke a mercury thermometer in my bedroom. It dropped out of my mouth onto my desk and onto the carpet underneath my desk.
The mercury broke into tiny pieces and went on my keyboard, and a bit went onto my computer monitor. Most of it went on my carpet.
To clean it I tried to use a dustpan and brush and tried to wipe as much of the mercury off my desk using kitchen paper which I then put in a sealed jar.
After finding out that I should not of used a brush I disposed of the brush and any of the mercury I had managed to collect at the local council toxic place correctly. I have also disposed of my keyboard.
I was then told by a science teacher at my college to vacuum the carpet, desk and monitor and then dispose of the hoover bag at the council site.
I have aired out my bedroom for about a week (having not been sleeping their in the meanwhile) and have cut up the carpet and disposed of it properly.
Once I have replaced the carpet, and vacuumed my desk thoroughly – is it safe to return to my bedroom?
I am pretty sure I would have safely got rid of most of the mercury, but I cannot be certain there aren’t a few tiny particles lurking somewhere in my room.
Seeing as I spend a lot of time in my room at my desk and sleep there, do you think it is safe?
Is there any danger I could get mercury poisoning?
What are the long term health risks of being in contact with mercury?
Have I cleaned it up as best as possible?
