Mercury Spills and Clean-up

Report all spills on the 24-hour, toll free hotline at 1-800-943-0003. Possible mercury poisoning? Call the toll free poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

When mercury is spilled, it shatters into tiny beads and spreads in many directions. These tiny droplets can accumulate in the smallest places. The droplets emit toxic, odorless vapors, which can be very dangerous when inhaled by people or pets.

Remember: Any object that touches mercury will become contaminated!

Small Spill Clean-up

Mercury spills smaller than a dime-sized puddle (such as a fever thermometer). Use a mercury spill kit, if available.

• Do's
• Don'ts
• Supplies
• Clean-up Instructions - Spills on Hard Surfaces
• Clean-up Instructions - Spills on Porous Surfaces
• Spill Contacts
• More about Spills

Large Spill Clean-up

A hazardous material clean-up profession or an environmental clean-up contractor should handle spills larger than a dime-sized puddle. Call one of the contacts for more information.

• Do's
• Don'ts
• Spill Contacts

Do's

• Remove people and pets from the spill area.
• Close all interior doors to the spill area.
• Turn off heating and air conditioning systems.
• Air out the room. Open all exterior windows and doors. Use fans if they ventilate to the outside.

Don'ts

• Do not touch the mercury.
• Never vacuum; it will release mercury vapor into the air.
• Never use a broom; it will break up the mercury.
• Never pour mercury down the drain.
• Never walk around in contaminated clothing or shoes.
• Never put mercury-contaminated items in the washing machine.

Supplies

• Rubber or latex gloves
• Paper towels
• Cardboard square/squeegee
• Eyedropper
• Zip lock bag
• Flashlight
• Duct or masking tape
• Knife
• Large trash bag

Clean-up Instructions - Spills on Hard Surfaces

1. Remove all jewelry, mercury will bind with the metal.
2. Put on rubber or latex gloves.
3. Pick up broken glass carefully; wrap in a paper towel, and place in the zip lock bag.
4. Push the mercury beads together with a squeegee or cardboard square.
5. Collect the bead with an eyedropper.
6. Place on a damp paper towel and secure in a zip lock bag.
7. Locate any remaining mercury with the flashlight; the beads will reflect the light making them easier to see. Make sure to inspect all crevices.
8. Pick up any remaining beads with tape. Place in the zip lock bag and seal.
9. Insert zip lock bag in a larger trash bag.
10. Place all materials used in the clean up, including gloves, in the trash bag.
11. Seal the trash bag with tape and label as "mercury waste."
12. Wash your hands, face, and any other areas of your body exposed to the mercury.
13. Keep the room ventilated for a minimum of 48 hours.

Clean-up Instructions - Spills on Porous Surfaces

1. Remove all jewelry, mercury will bind with the metal.
2. Put on rubber or latex gloves.
3. Pick up broken glass carefully; wrap in a paper towel, and place in the zip lock bag.
4. Use a sharp knife to cut out the contaminated area.
5. Fold the contaminated item so that the mercury is trapped inside.
6. Place in trash bag; seal with tape, and label as "mercury waste."
7. Wash your hands, face, and any other areas of your body exposed to the mercury.
8. Keep the room ventilated for a minimum of 48 hours.

Spill Contacts

For large spill guidance and small spill disposal options in accordance with local, state, and federal laws, contact one of the following:

• Regional DNR Spill Coordinator [PDF]
• Public Health Department: An interactive county map and alphabetical listing of Wisconsin Public Health Departments is located at Wisconsin Local Public Health Department Listing [exit DNR]
• Fire Department: An alphabetical index of Wisconsin Fire Departments can be found under 'Health and Safety" at Wisconsin.gov [exit DNR]

More about Spills

For more extensive information, download spills fact sheets or the Household Mercury Spill Clean Up Options [PDF] fact sheet describing what mercury is, how to prevent spills, and how to handle spilled mercury.