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. These spills should not be cleaned up with a vacuum cleaner or Shop Vac -style vacuum. This will actually cause the mercury to vaporize more and spread further. Without proper cleanup, people may be exposed to hazardous levels of mercury vapors.
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. When mercury vapors are inhaled, mercury enters the bloodstream through the lungs. Inhalation of vapors may cause shortness of breath, chest pain and tightness, coughing, nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, eye irritation and increase in blood pressure or heart rate. Further, the central nervous system and kidneys are especially sensitive to the effects of mercury.