Mercury in water is dangerous. Mercury poisoning

Mineral, natural metallic mercury. A transition metal that is a heavy, silvery-white liquid at room temperature, the vapors of which are extremely toxic. Mercury is one of two chemical elements (and the only metal) whose simple substances under normal conditions are in a liquid state of aggregation (the second such element is bromine). Sometimes contains an admixture of silver and gold.

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STRUCTURE

PROPERTIES

Color tin white. Strong metallic luster. Boiling point 357 °C. The only liquid mineral at normal temperature. Hardens, acquiring a crystalline state at −38°C. Density 13.55. On fire, it easily evaporates with the formation of toxic fumes. In ancient times, inhalation of these vapors was the only available treatment for syphilis (on the principle: if the patient does not die, then he will recover. It is a diamagnet.

RESERVES AND PRODUCTION

Mercury is a relatively rare element in the earth's crust with an average concentration of 83 mg/t. However, due to the fact that mercury weakly binds chemically with the most common elements in the earth's crust, mercury ores can be very concentrated compared to ordinary rocks. The most mercury-rich ores contain up to 2.5% mercury. The main form of mercury found in nature is dispersed, and only 0.02% of it is found in deposits. The content of mercury in various types of igneous rocks is close to each other (about 100 mg/t). From sedimentary rocks, the maximum concentrations of mercury are established in clay shales (up to 200 mg/t). In the waters of the World Ocean, the content of mercury is 0.1 µg/l. The most important geochemical feature of mercury is that, among other chalcophile elements, it has the highest ionization potential. This determines such properties of mercury as the ability to recover to the atomic form (native mercury), significant chemical resistance to oxygen and acids.

One of the world's largest mercury deposits is located in Spain (Almaden). Mercury deposits are known in the Caucasus (Dagestan, Armenia), in Tajikistan, Slovenia, Kyrgyzstan (Khaidarkan - Aidarken) Ukraine (Gorlovka, Nikitovsky mercury plant).

There are 23 mercury deposits in Russia, industrial reserves amount to 15.6 thousand tons (as of 2002), of which the largest are explored in Chukotka - Zapadno-Palyanskoye and Tamvatneyskoye.

Mercury is obtained by roasting cinnabar (mercury(II) sulfide) or by the metallothermic method. The mercury vapor is condensed and collected. This method was used by ancient alchemists.

ORIGIN

Mercury is present in most sulfide minerals. Its especially high contents (up to thousandths and hundredths of a percent) are found in faded ores, antimonites, sphalerites, and realgars. The proximity of the ionic radii of divalent mercury and calcium, monovalent mercury and barium determines their isomorphism in fluorites and barites. In cinnabar and metacinnabarite, sulfur is sometimes replaced by selenium or tellurium; the selenium content is often hundredths and tenths of a percent. Extremely rare mercury selenides are known - timanite (HgSe) and onophrite (a mixture of timanite and sphalerite).

APPLICATION

Mercury is used as a working fluid in mercury thermometers (especially high-precision ones), since it has a fairly wide range in which it is in a liquid state, its thermal expansion coefficient is almost independent of temperature and has a relatively low heat capacity. An alloy of mercury with thallium is used for low temperature thermometers.
Fluorescent lamps are filled with mercury vapor, as the vapor glows in a glow discharge. There is a lot of ultraviolet light in the emission spectrum of mercury vapor and, in order to convert it into visible light, the glass of fluorescent lamps is coated with a phosphor from the inside. Without a phosphor, mercury lamps are a source of hard ultraviolet (254 nm), in which capacity they are used. Such lamps are made of quartz glass that transmits ultraviolet light, which is why they are called quartz.
Mercury and mercury-based alloys are used in hermetically sealed circuit breakers.
Mercury is used in position sensors.

Mercury(I) iodide is used as a semiconductor radiation detector.
Mercury(II) fulminate ("explosive mercury") has long been used as an initiating explosive (detonators).
Mercury(I) bromide is used in the thermochemical decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen (atomic hydrogen energy).
It is promising to use mercury in alloys with cesium as a highly efficient working fluid in ion engines.
Until the middle of the 20th century, mercury was widely used in barometers, manometers and sphygmomanometers (hence the tradition to measure pressure in millimeters of mercury).

Mercury compounds were used in the hat industry to make felt.

Mercury (eng. Mercury) - Hg

CLASSIFICATION

Mercury is an amazing chemical element. This is obvious, if only because mercury is the only metal that is in a liquid state under conditions that we usually call normal. Under such conditions, mercury is able to evaporate and form a mercury atmosphere. It is these properties that determined the special position of mercury in our lives. This unusual metal has a noble silvery-white color, and its vapors are extremely poisonous. And although mercury is not as actively used in industry as iron, gold or silver, many myths have developed among the people about it. We'll cover five of the most common...

Mercury has rendered great services to mankind. For many centuries, it has been used in a wide variety of areas of human activity - from cinnabar paint to a nuclear reactor. Independent industries were created on the use of various properties of mercury, including gold mining by amalgamation, the production of gas-discharge mercury lamps, chemical current sources, chlorine and caustic soda. Mercury is used in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and dentistry. It served as a coolant in one of the first fast neutron reactors.

In 1886, the first mercury in Russia was produced in Gorlovka (now the Donetsk region of Ukraine). This unusual metal has a noble silvery-white color, and its vapors are extremely poisonous. Although mercury is not as actively used in industry as iron, gold or silver, many myths have developed among the people about it. We'll cover five of the most common...

DEATH BALLS

There is a myth that mercury balls, which are formed, for example, after a thermometer breaks, are extremely dangerous for human health. This is not entirely true; mercury itself is not dangerous. Harm caused by mercury vapor. Therefore, getting balls of mercury on the skin will not cause such a reaction as long-term inhalation of its vapors.

Mercury vapor leads to disorders of the human central nervous system. The first symptoms are not particularly eloquent, they are easily confused with the usual malaise. The primary damage to the body by mercury vapor is characterized by increased fatigue, weakness, headaches, dizziness begins a little later.

Later, mercury tremor develops. It is at this stage, as a rule, consult a doctor. Mercury tremor is accompanied by trembling of the hands, eyelids, lips, often there is a metallic taste in the mouth, lacrimation, stomach problems.

DOLF MANAGEMENT OF THE MERCURY THREAT

Many believe that it is possible to collect mercury on their own and eliminate the danger of poisoning. However, in practice, few achieve such results. Mercury is very mobile and easily breaks down into small particles that are difficult to detect "by eye".

In this regard, in order to eliminate the mercury threat, it is necessary to use the help of professionals who will establish the ecological state of the apartment. The environmental service should take measures to clean the premises, provide expert information on the prevention of poisoning.

If you are still trying to cope with the mercury threat on your own, then you need to ventilate the room well. For example, if you do not ventilate a room of 16 square meters. m. with a ceiling height of 3 m, which contains 4 grams of mercury (the volume contained in a medical thermometer), then the concentration of mercury vapor in this area will exceed the norm by 27,667 times.

RED MERCURY

In the early 1990s, rumors spread about the creation of a new variety of mercury - red mercury or the substance RM 20/20, allegedly produced in secret scientific laboratories of the USSR.

Red mercury, as stated, had fantastic properties - from super-density (over 20 g / cm3) and super-radioactivity to cosmic origin and the ability to cure any ailments.

Sellers asked for 1 kilogram of mercury from 300 to 400 thousand dollars. Moreover, there were buyers, including Western ones. Anything under the guise of red mercury was slipped to the buyer - from mercury amalgam to ordinary mercury, painted with dyes or brick powder.

Many Soviet nuclear physicists have repeatedly refuted the possibility of creating such a substance, explaining that this not only contradicts the laws of nature, but is also impossible at the modern technological level.

Rumors about the substance RM 20/20 subsided after a few years. Current researchers believe that the hype was created intentionally, in the name of the monetary interests of many high-ranking people. However, articles about the reality of scientific developments to create red mercury appear today.

MYTH ABOUT HIGH PRICE

Police officers regularly seize mercury from citizens who are trying to sell it. Legally, such transactions are prohibited. Experts say that in reality, few people need mercury and sales are based only on the misconceptions of citizens about the high cost of mercury.

In fact, mercury is not a valuable and sought-after substance. It is used extremely rarely, in particular, in the manufacture of fluorescent lamps.

Mercury mining in Russia was stopped in 1991. But, according to experts, its reserves will be enough for another ten years of industry operation. According to experts, illegal sales of this heavy toxic metal will flourish for about the same time.

Some craftsmen still manage to use mercury for personal purposes. In particular, the metal can be used in the purification of gold from oxides.

USEFULNESS OF MERCURY

Many are convinced that mercury has healing properties and is necessary for the body to function properly. There are articles that mercury has a certain biotic effect and has a stimulating effect on vital processes.

The average person weighing 70 kilograms contains about 13 milligrams of mercury, but it does not seem to play any physiological role. At least, the vital necessity of this metal for humans and other organisms has not been proven.

At the same time, it has been scientifically proven that mercury, in doses exceeding the physiological need, is toxic to all forms of life, and in almost any of its states.

Resuscitator Rafael V. Makarov:

Indeed, it is not mercury that is dangerous, but its vapors leading to chronic poisoning. And further. In the old days, it was believed that mercury has a magical effect and saves from evil spirits and poisons.

The victim of such a myth was Ivan the Terrible, who kept a vat of mercury under his bed. Prolonged inhalation of mercury vapor explains the king's mental disorders and his inexplicable aggression. And also the fact that at the end of his life he practically “rotted alive”.

Yes, a broken mercury thermometer really poses a great danger to human health. According to the Great Medical Encyclopedia, mercury is a highly toxic poison belonging to the first class of extremely dangerous substances. A medical mercury thermometer contains from 1 to 2 grams of mercury, if the substance is in the room, it begins to evaporate. The concentration of mercury vapor in this case can exceed the maximum allowable rate up to 1000 times. If the source of intoxication is not eliminated in time, then mercury vapor will not disappear on its own, they will remain indoors for many years. For this reason, mercury thermometers are banned in many countries.

What harm is done to health?

A few hours after mercury enters the room, acute poisoning can occur. According to the official website of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, it is manifested by a lack of appetite, headaches, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. A metallic taste may be felt in the mouth, it becomes painful to swallow, salivation and bleeding of the gums appear.

If the mercury particles are not completely eliminated, the fumes will continue to affect the nervous system. With regular contact with the substance, chronic poisoning occurs after 5-10 years. The Great Medical Encyclopedia indicates that it is accompanied by frequent headaches, dizziness, increased fatigue, general weakness, sleep disturbances, irritability, and respiratory diseases. Anxiety, anxiety, depression appear.

Intoxication with a low concentration of mercury, which is called micromercurialism, manifests itself after two to four years of constant contact with mercury fumes. It is characterized by increased excitability and disturbances in the emotional sphere.

In general, intoxication with mercury vapor affects not only the nervous system, but also the cardiovascular system and endocrine glands. The kidneys also suffer greatly, it is through these organs that mercury is excreted in large volumes from the body.

Inhalation of mercury vapor is especially dangerous for children, the elderly and pregnant women. Their body has less ability to resist toxic fumes. Symptoms of poisoning in these groups of people begin to appear faster.

How to treat poisoning?

In case of acute poisoning, you should immediately consult a doctor. You can not self-medicate, treatment should take place in a hospital.

If the poisoning has passed into the chronic stage, then you should also contact the specialists, follow their recommendations and take the medicines that they prescribe

Few people think about how dangerous mercury is until it comes to an accidentally broken thermometer or fluorescent lamp. In order not to panic in such cases, it is important to know what this substance is, what effect it has on the body and how to protect yourself from poisoning.

Few people think about how dangerous mercury is until it comes to an accidentally broken thermometer or fluorescent lamp.

What is mercury and what is its effect

Mercury belongs to the group of heavy metals and at room temperature is a dense silvery liquid. It is the only metal capable of being liquid at room temperature. The melting point of mercury is -38°C, the boiling point is 356°C. The substance is extremely dangerous: if it enters the human body, mercury can cause poisoning, even death.

By itself, the metal is practically not toxic, but the toxicity of mercury instantly increases when it enters the environment familiar to humans. At room temperature, the substance immediately begins to evaporate, and this is the most poisonous form.

Among the factors that increase the danger of this substance, they note the complete absence of smell (a person may not notice for a long time that he is breathing mercury vapor) and the ability to accumulate in the body for years, practically not excreted through the excretory organs.

How to properly collect mercury (video)

Use of mercury in the home

Until 1970, people did not know how bad mercury was for health, and they used it in many areas, especially in medicine: from making dental fillings to manufacturing medicines.

Where does the dust come from

Due to the danger to humans, today the use of the substance in everyday life is minimized. But still, sometimes you can't do without it. Mercury is used in the manufacture of thermometers - due to its high thermal conductivity and ability not to wet glass, such thermometers provide high accuracy of readings.

This poisonous metal is used in energy-saving gas discharge lamps and in medicine as a preservative for vaccines. We must not forget that some types of seafood are able to accumulate elemental mercury from their environment, and their consumption can be dangerous: in the body of shellfish and some fish, the concentration of the metal can be several times higher than in the water itself.

When used properly in everyday life, metal is not dangerous to people. Basically, poisoning occurs when safety standards are not observed in the workplace associated with mercury, or when devices or mechanisms containing this substance appear in residential premises. Such actions are extremely dangerous, and their consequences can be fatal.

Types of poisoning and their symptoms

At a high concentration of mercury vapor in the air (up to 0.25 mg/m3), it begins to be absorbed through the respiratory system. If its content exceeds this value, then absorption can occur directly through the skin, even intact. A lethal dose of mercury is inhalation of 2.5 g or more of toxic fumes.

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With a single ingestion of high doses of toxic fumes, acute poisoning develops. The first symptoms appear after 1-2 hours: weakness, headache, metallic taste in the mouth, pain when swallowing, salivation, lack of appetite. A little later, systemic symptoms also appear: cough, difficulty breathing due to inflammation of the respiratory tract, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, temperature up to 40 ° C. Medical intervention is necessary already at the first signs, especially when it comes to children - in them the clinical picture of poisoning, as a rule, develops faster. In the absence of timely assistance, death occurs within a few days.

Chronic poisoning occurs with prolonged (two months or more) contact with small doses. A broken thermometer is dangerous because uncleaned mercury can be divided into very small balls and imperceptibly poison all living things that are in this room. It does not smell, and people may not guess for a long time what is happening to their health.

When used properly in everyday life, metal is not dangerous to people.

Symptoms of mercurialism, as chronic poisoning with this substance is also called, are manifested by constant severe fatigue, inability to sleep even with a normal sleep pattern, frequent dizziness and headaches, and weakness. At later stages, the so-called mercury tremor develops - trembling of the limbs, lips and eyelids. Sweating increases, the sense of smell and tactile sensitivity become dull.

Not knowing how dangerous mercury is, a person may not associate these symptoms with a broken thermometer, for example, six months ago and treat the consequences for years, not knowing the real reason.

Chronic forms of poisoning are dangerous because, in addition to somatic abnormalities, mental ones also appear against its background. The person becomes emotionally unstable, irritable, has problems with memory. In this state, people are unable to lead a normal life, and the combination of these symptoms, which increase over time, often leads to disability, both physical and mental.

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For the treatment of chronic forms of mercury intoxication, in addition to hospitalization, they may prescribe a sanatorium course or even recommend changing the field of activity.

Mercury poisoning (video)

What to do with indoor mercury

The most common causes of contact with toxic metal in everyday life are a broken mercury thermometer or a fluorescent lamp. The amount of mercury in these devices is not deadly, but in order to avoid poisoning, it is necessary to start getting rid of the toxic substance as soon as possible.

1. Remove people and animals from the premises.
2. Close the door, open the window to ventilate the room as much as possible, but do not allow a draft. Metal fumes from the thermometer should not get into other rooms. It will be necessary to ventilate the room for about a week after removing visible mercury.
3. Put on a respirator or gauze mask, rubber gloves on your hands.
4. Carefully collect fragments of a thermometer or lamp and put them in an airtight bag.
5. Point the lamp at the place where the mercury from the thermometer is spilled - the glare on the surface of the metal balls will not let you miss any of them.
6. It is better to collect mercury with a brush or a brush with an amalgamation coating, but not everyone will have one at hand. For collection, you can use pipettes, syringes, paper napkins, wet newspapers, and for the smallest droplets - adhesive tape or adhesive tape.
7. The collected volume of metal should also be hermetically sealed and, together with a broken thermometer, be handed over to the Ministry of Emergency Situations for disposal.

What is the danger of mercury from a thermometer for a person - a person asks such a question when faced with a deformed mercury thermometer. To measure the exact temperature of the body, thermometers using alcohol, glycerin, mercury, as well as electronic devices, have become widespread.

As practice shows, mercury thermometers show the most accurate readings of body temperature, which is associated with the high thermal conductivity of mercury and an almost linear coefficient of expansion of the metal.

Along with such an important advantage, mercury-based thermometers have a very harmful, and even dangerous drawback - the toxicity of the substance and the ability to accumulate in the body, which can even lead to deaths of poisoning.

Features of a mercury thermometer

In home and even hospital conditions, it is mercury thermometers that are widely used, since they give an error of only 0.01 ° C. Such an error is achieved due to the amazing properties of the liquid metal - mercury.

The characteristic of mercury is quite remarkable. The melting point of this chemical is only -38.8 ° C, which means that under normal conditions it is in liquid form. Like all metals, mercury in a thermometer expands as the temperature rises, and contracts as the temperature falls.

Also, liquid mercury does not have the ability to moisturize and remain on the glass from which thermometers are made. This makes it possible to achieve a high accuracy of the measuring instrument by using glass tubes with a very small cross section.

It is important to remember that mercury is nothing but a highly toxic poison and belongs to the 1st class of very toxic substances.

The above properties make this metal indispensable in the manufacture of thermometers. However, mercury and any compounds with it are quite toxic and poisonous. Because of this reason, some countries have even abandoned the use of mercury-based thermometers.

The danger of a damaged mercury thermometer

With proper and careful handling of a mercury thermometer, if stored in a place protected from children, in a special case, used only under adult supervision, such an instrument does not pose a danger.

But in the case when the thermometer with mercury nevertheless crashed, both glass fragments and leaked mercury from the glass tube pose a danger to the human body. This substance is characterized by a very low melting point, which is not typical for other metals - 38.8 ° C, and already at a temperature of + 18 ° C it evaporates.

It must be remembered that mercury evaporates both outdoors and under water.

Vapors of liquid mercury are very toxic, since when inhaled, the vapors enter the lungs, then the mercury is oxidized and already in the oxidized state negatively affects the state of the body. The ions of the element, which are formed during the oxidation of the metal, are very poisonous.

The effect of leaked mercury from a thermometer on the human body

A mercury thermometer may contain dangerous liquid mercury in an amount of 1 to 2 grams of the substance. This volume of pure mercury outside the glass tube will be enough to poison the human body of varying severity. Symptoms of such poisoning may not immediately appear, since the metal is characterized by the property of accumulation.

Depending on the duration of exposure and the concentration of mercury, the following types of poisoning are distinguished:

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• Chronic poisoning: with constant contact with metal, with long work in a closed room with a vapor concentration slightly higher than the MPC. It is expressed by general weakness, severe unreasonable fatigue, headache, increased irritability and dizziness. May show up after a couple of years.
• Acute poisoning: at a high concentration of the substance, it can happen in just 2-3 hours. It is expressed by a metallic taste, pain in the abdomen, head and when swallowing, as well as lack of appetite. Such poisoning is often accompanied by pneumonia.
• Micromercurialism: at very low concentrations of mercury, but for a long time of 5 to 10 years. It manifests itself in the form of prolonged respiratory diseases, increased bleeding of the gums, tremor of the fingers, various disorders of the nervous system and a violation of the cycle in young women.

Basically, mercury in toxic vapors enters the human body through the lungs. When it comes to a large spill of mercury, then intoxication can also occur through the mucous membranes and pores of the skin. Basically, the metal has a detrimental effect on the nervous system, respiratory tract and kidneys.

If the substance enters the human body with food, then it does not have a significant effect, since almost all of it is excreted by the body through the intestines without absorption into the blood. Removal of the remaining part occurs for a long time through the kidneys.

It must be remembered that mercury is characterized by a neurotoxic effect on the human body, occurring in the form of destruction of nerve cells.

Particularly sensitive to the action of vapors are people with a weakened immune system, as well as small children and pregnant women.

Prolonged penetration into the body of small but dangerous doses of mercury can provoke the onset of severe inflammatory processes in important organs and systems. Basically, intoxication with mercury vapor leads to pneumonia, paralysis and total blindness.

Given all aspects of the negative, it is necessary not only to identify signs of mercury exposure in time, to properly clean up and dispose of spills, but also to immediately provide emergency assistance.

How mercury toxicity manifests itself

Mercury accumulates in the body, it is not excreted from it. This is what causes chronic poisoning. What symptoms are observed?

• Prolonged and severe headaches.
• The taste of metal in the mouth.
• Apathy, drowsiness and weakness.
• Tremor (trembling) of the hands, nervous tic.
• Irritability and frequent mood swings.
• Sometimes there is diarrhea.

If poisonous mercury accumulates in the body for years, then working capacity, memory, concentration of attention gradually deteriorate, and mental illness occurs. Sometimes hair falls out, teeth become loose, some diseases become chronic. Such symptoms appear after a few years.

The problem of a broken thermometer becomes especially serious if there are small children at home. They are especially susceptible to poison, since the children's body cannot fully resist it. If the family has a small child, an electronic thermometer is needed.

From a broken thermometer is observed:

• shortness of breath when breathing;
• violation of the digestive tract;
• bluish complexion.

If these symptoms appear, you need to call an ambulance. Gastric lavage is usually carried out to remove mercury oxide and relieve signs of intoxication. If prompt medical attention is not followed, then you can induce vomiting yourself. According to statistics, in 65% of cases these are mild poisonings..

Help with intoxication

Mercury poisoning can only be treated in a hospital setting. Since mercury from a broken thermometer is very dangerous, first aid must be provided immediately at home. It consists in alleviating the condition of the poisoned person and consists of the following measures:

• organize the flow of fresh air into the room;
• rinse the stomach with plenty of water;
• induce vomiting;
• apply activated charcoal;
• provide plenty of fluids;
• provide the patient with bed rest.

These measures should be carried out if the victim is fully conscious. When a person is unconscious, he must be quickly released from tight clothes, laid on his side. You should also exclude the sinking of the tongue and ensure the supply of fresh air.

What to do if the thermometer accidentally crashed

In the event that a mercury thermometer is damaged in a medical institution, at work or at home, it is necessary to call emergency services and follow the following recommendations:

• There is no need to panic, it should be precisely determined that it was the mercury thermometer that crashed and the place of such an incident.
• Remove all people and pets from the room where the device was damaged, except for those who have mercury residues on their clothes or wool. This is how localization is carried out and the spread of spilled mercury to the rest of the premises is excluded.
• Prevent people from entering a room that is poisoned with mercury.
• It is necessary to open windows and close all doors to ensure the flow of fresh air and exclude drafts that can spread mercury vapor to neighboring rooms.
• They put on shoe covers, rubber gloves, a respirator or a moistened cotton-gauze bandage, which is moistened with water or a strong soda solution to protect the respiratory organs from the action of vapors.
• When collecting balls of mercury, you must be extremely careful not to step on the glass fragments of the thermometer.
• After cleaning up mercury, you need to drink plenty of any liquid and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• For preventive purposes, you should drink activated charcoal in a therapeutic dosage.
• All collected balls of mercury must be placed in a glass container with water, and then closed with a tight lid.
• All utensils and clothing that were used to collect mercury should be placed in polyethylene and disposed of.

Work on collecting poisonous metal must be carried out promptly, especially if the room is warm. Otherwise, mercury will begin to evaporate and cause damage to the respiratory system.

Almost every home first aid kit contains a mercury thermometer. When used correctly, this attribute is perfectly safe for humans. If the thermometer accidentally breaks, do not panic, it is important to collect all the metal balls as soon as possible.

Living in a safe space

Why put yourself and your loved ones at unnecessary risk? Today we are surrounded by many harmful substances with which the modern world is saturated. There are safe electronic thermometers that accurately and quickly show body temperature..

The thermometer looks like a flat stick with a thin tip and a display on the body. He gives evidence within a minute after contact with the body. It will not break, reliable and accurate. Working life: from 2 to 5 years. So mercury thermometers have already exhausted themselves and will soon disappear altogether.

Therefore, when making a choice in a pharmacy, buying drugs or medical devices, read the instructions, be interested in their safety. AND stop buying a mercury thermometer. Take care of your health and the health of your loved ones and do not put yourself at unnecessary risk.