For acute inhalation of mercury vapor, supportive care should be given to relieve and monitor pulmonary symptoms such as edema and pneumonitis. Ingestion of small amounts of mercury, such as the amount found in a thermometer, does not typically require treatment. In very rare cases, mercury can become trapped in the appendix or intestine and require surgical removal. The amount of mercury from a typical broken thermometer would be considered a small spill. If more mercury than this is spilled, it would be considered a large spill .
Some people save mercury from various sources and store the product in containers.
This is dangerous because mercury may escape from broken or improperly sealed containers. Individuals may often be exposed without their knowledge. Sampling conducted by IDPH in homes where small mercury spills have taken place has not shown large amounts of mercury in the air. High levels would not be expected unless the spill took place on a hot surface or into a device like a humidifier that blows liquids into the air. Spills from the breaking of a blood pressure device or larger sources can produce airborne levels high enough to cause serious poisoning and even death.