Once broken, the amount of mercury spilled can warrant a hazardous cleanup response and evacuation. Whether at school or home, mercury spills from broken necklaces left unattended may pose a health threat. To raise awareness, the Washington State Department of Health compiled the following resources on health effects, spill cleanup, and safe disposal of mercury necklaces. 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 come in various shapes such as hearts, bottles, balls, saber teeth, and chili peppers.
M ercury is released when the glass is broken or when it leaks around the pendant's cord anchor. Once mercury spills, it breaks into tiny beads that can roll into cracks in floor coverings or walls, or become trapped in carpet. If spilled in or around heating ducts, mercury can quickly vaporize and possibly spread throughout the building or home. Without proper cleanup, people may be exposed to hazardous mercury vapors. Very small amounts of liquid mercury, just a few drops, can vaporize and reach levels that may be harmful to health.