Mercury vapor aspirated into the lungs can cause severe pneumonia and death. Chronic mercury poisoning occurs through the regular absorption of small amounts of mercury. This condition is often a disease of workers in mercury mines, laboratories, and industries that use mercury. Organic mercury compounds, such as dimethyl mercury, are among the most dangerous. Reducing Laboratory Exposure Reducing mercury exposure in laboratories was, and continues to be, the primary reason for the Mercury Thermometer Exchange.
Mercury vapors are colorless, odorless, tasteless, and toxic.
When mercury thermometers break, lab and clean-up personnel are exposed to dangerous mercury fumes. Furthermore, drops of the liquid metal can become lodged in floor cracks and behind equipment. A spill is more dangerous when mercury thermometers break in ovens or incubators because mercury evaporates readily at high temperatures, creating high mercury vapor concentrations. Reducing Expense of Mercury Cleanup and Disposal Disposal is very expensive for mercury thermometers and contaminated clean-up materials after a thermometer breaks. Spill debris uses much more space than an intact thermometer, resulting in increased cost.