7
Waste mercury should be placed in a tightly covered container and dis-
posed of in accordance with state and local environmental regulations.
As a convenience to our customers, we can help arrange returns to a
waste reclamation facility. Contact our customer service department
toll-free at 1-800-ADC-2670 for the necessary packaging supplies and re-
turn authorization.
Do not incinerate mercury or mercury compounds or dispose of down
the drain.
Please note:
Liquid mercury combines with many soft metals. Jew-
elry should be removed prior to cleaning of instruments, or mercury
spills. We also recommend the wearing of latex gloves and protective
eyewear when cleaning mercury spills.
What if a mercury spill should occur and I don’t have a spill kit?
Chances are that a spill kit is on the premises. Contact your building’s
maintenance department. However if you do not have one, they can
be ordered from most laboratory safety supply houses. As a conven-
ience to our customers, a basic spill kit can be purchased directly
from ADC. Call our customer service department toll-free at 1-800-
ADC-2670 and ask for ADC part number 980SK. We will be glad to
rush one out to you immediately.
Please note:
As a precaution, we strongly recommend that you keep
a mercury spill kit on hand.
Doesn’t mercury spill all over the place?
A mercury spill can be cleaned up fairly easily. It rolls into one large
bead. It can be cleaned up with any commercially available mercury
spill kit specifically designed for this job. When spilled on a hard sur-
face a simple soft bristled brush or a 3cc syringe may even be used to
collect very small amounts of mercury quickly and safely. Elemental
mercury is a non-wetting liquid. It does not absorb into rugs or fab-
rics. It can be removed quickly and completely from carpeted surfaces
using a mercury absorbent powder that reacts with mercury to form
a harmless amalgam which can then be easily contained.
