Just a word of warning guys.
I had an old thermometer hanging on the wall of my garage/brewery it has been there since we moved into the property and it's one of those 'U' shaped ones that records the highest and lowest temperatures as well as the current temperature I am sure you know the ones.
Well, I was moving some bits and pieces around and accidentally hit it where upon it smashes on the concrete floor, the smell from it's contents nearly suffocated me (no joke) even my neighbour two doors away could smell it! I found every scrap of the remains and have cleaned everything I have had the garage doors open since it happened on Thursday and it still smells of this weird chemical not quite as strong but it is still there it seems like it's going to take quite a few days to go and I just hope it does. I have never taken much notice of it but thinking back it's indicator was silver with a blue liquid which kept the record so more than likely mercury of which I understand is no longer used.
Be careful with this type of thermometer if you have one where ever it is even outside it's caused me so much grief over the last few days.
Thermometer
-
StevieB
Re: Thermometer
Hi Swiller,
Elemental mercury can be quite dangerous especially if vapourised... No doubt you've read the Health Protection Agency's advice on domestic spillages, but here's a handy link to the HPA's step-by-step guide for anyone else with the same problem: http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAweb ... 5733821650
And remember that if you spill more mercury than a thermometer-full you need to contact Environmental Health.
Steve
Elemental mercury can be quite dangerous especially if vapourised... No doubt you've read the Health Protection Agency's advice on domestic spillages, but here's a handy link to the HPA's step-by-step guide for anyone else with the same problem: http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAweb ... 5733821650
And remember that if you spill more mercury than a thermometer-full you need to contact Environmental Health.
Steve
-
Heltor Chasca
Re: Thermometer
Crumbs...!
I remember in the 80s at school we used to nich the stuff from the science labs and play "dodgems" with the liquid mercury balls on our desks!
That explains my below average results...
...and two heads
I remember in the 80s at school we used to nich the stuff from the science labs and play "dodgems" with the liquid mercury balls on our desks!
That explains my below average results...
...and two heads
-
StevieB
Re: Thermometer
I remember demonstrating why it was called Quicksilver by demonstrating how my skin absorbed the stuff... on several occasions...Heltor Chasca wrote:Crumbs...!
I remember in the 80s at school we used to nich the stuff from the science labs and play "dodgems" with the liquid mercury balls on our desks!
That explains my below average results...
...and two heads
I can't brane today, I haz teh dumb
-
Dr. Dextrin
Re: Thermometer
Only thing is... as far as I remember mercury doesn't smell of anything.
It could have been toluene - that definitely smells, but wouldn't have been silver.
It could have been toluene - that definitely smells, but wouldn't have been silver.
-
StevieB
Re: Thermometer
Mercury is odourless and I agree that the alcohol element of the thermometer could have caused a smell, but it's is such a small quantity it is unlikely to have been detected by Swiller's neighbour!Dr. Dextrin wrote:Only thing is... as far as I remember mercury doesn't smell of anything.
It could have been toluene - that definitely smells, but wouldn't have been silver.
I'm at a loss to explain the odour but my primary concern was the mercury!
-
Swiller
Re: Thermometer
It was certainly a strong smell as I can just make it out now, it could have been the blue indicator that rides on the top of the mercury or a reaction of the two. Put it this way I will not be replacing it!!!
-
GARYSMIFF
Re: Thermometer
My Uncle showed me a nice trick when I was 12ish with Mercury and battery acid. lol.
Not sure if I should share the fun......boom
Not sure if I should share the fun......boom
-
StevieB
Re: Thermometer
Hg+H2SO4... I must be missing something but I can't see a violent reaction here.GARYSMIFF wrote:My Uncle showed me a nice trick when I was 12ish with Mercury and battery acid. lol.
Not sure if I should share the fun......boom
-
StevieB
Re: Thermometer
Ah... An aqueous solution of sulphuric acid...
Hg+H2SO4+H2O or
Hg2+H2SO4+H2O
My chemistry knowledge is pretty basic but it seems to me that this reaction could result in a release of free hydrogen... Add a source of ignition in the atmosphere and.. BOOM!
[Edit] Actually the water is a red herring... If the mercury were to displace the hydrogen in the sulphuric acid to make mercury sulphate or sulphite, it wouldn't affect the aqueous chemistry but would still release hydrogen.
Do we have a scientist in the house to give a definitive answer?
Do I have a life?
Should I stay on topic?
Should I go to bed now? (01:22)
Hg+H2SO4+H2O or
Hg2+H2SO4+H2O
My chemistry knowledge is pretty basic but it seems to me that this reaction could result in a release of free hydrogen... Add a source of ignition in the atmosphere and.. BOOM!
[Edit] Actually the water is a red herring... If the mercury were to displace the hydrogen in the sulphuric acid to make mercury sulphate or sulphite, it wouldn't affect the aqueous chemistry but would still release hydrogen.
Do we have a scientist in the house to give a definitive answer?
Do I have a life?
Should I stay on topic?
Should I go to bed now? (01:22)