Mercury spillage

[anita67]

Hi

I am not sure if I have placed this query in the right section or even if there is a section for this.

My son spilt mercury at school today. I am told by the school it was a very small amount but I was also told he had been given water and paper towels to wipe himself with, something my son denies happening. So to be honest I am not sure what amount was spilled.

The school did remove his clothing that came in contact with the mercury. I took him new clothes. When I got home at 4pm which was about 5 hours after the incident and I had found out he had not been washed I told him to have a shower.

He does seem to be well, but my concern is if he has been affected by the mercury what symptoms should I be keeping a look out for?
As of this incident the school has/will be removing all mercury from the school.

Thanks

[Tups]

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch_Mercury SpillFactsheet_85689_7.pdf
I don't think you need to worry, as long as he didn't swallow any. If this link doesn't work, get back to me and I'll try another method.

[abstibus]

Hi Anita
In school, in the happy days 50 years before Elf and Safety got at everything, we used to play with mercury, as we were fascinated that it rolled away every time we tried to touch it. As far as I know, it never did us any harm, so I don't think you need to worry too much.

[yogasun]

Agree with annemollie, we did the same, it's when you swallow it as Tups said you need to worry more.

[ladyalex]

I'm sure he will be fine as, as the others have said, but I think I would run it past my GP. I would also, with some vigour, want to know exactly how he came to be able to spill mercury, what the school's plan for this eventuality was and how they were going to prevent such an event re-occurring.
Mercury is a dangerous chemical and there will guidlines as to how to deal with spillages...or there should be.

[RavenD]

annemollie, you said it didn't harm you, but you spelled health, ELF ???

You sure your ok ;)