Whether at school or home, mercury spills of any kind or size pose a serious health risk. The necklaces are often a beaded chain, cord, or leather strand with a glass pendant that contains mercury. The mercury appears as a silvery clump of liquid that rolls around in the hollow glass pendant. Pendants can be in various shapes, such as hearts, bottles, saber teeth and chili peppers. Once mercury spills, it breaks into tiny beads that can roll into cracks in floors or walls, or become trapped in carpet.
Mercury vaporizes rapidly at room temperature, and can rapidly spread throughout the room.
If spilled in or near heating ducts, the vapor can rapidly spread throughout the home or building. Without proper cleanup, people may be exposed to hazardous levels of mercury vapors. Vapor from spilled metallic mercury is highly toxic. Young children, developing fetuses, and people with kidney disease or other health conditions are especially vulnerable. Brief contact with mercury can cause harm before symptoms arise.