EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE IN THE LAB

• 1. Inform your teacher or the laboratory assistant about the accident immediately.
• 2. Prohibit other students from entering the accident site.
• 3. Stop the spill from spreading to other areas by using sand to border it.
• 4. Clean the chemical spill.
• 5. Dispose of the chemical spill by following the correct procedures.
• If the mercury thermometer breaks, a pupil faces the risk of mercury spill.
• Although the quantity of mercury in the thermometer is very minimal, it is enough to cause mercury poisoning. Mercury poisoning occurs when a person is exposed to mercury in certain amount.
• 1. Mercury is volatile at room temperature. Mercury vapour poisons the air.
  2. Do not touch mercury spill because it can absorb into your body through the skin.

  
• Symptoms of mercury poisoning

  Nausea, coughing, vomiting, diarrheoa, chest pain, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, headache, eye irritation, vision problem, increase in blood pressure
• Steps to be taken the moment mercury spill occurs.

  1. Inform your teacher or the laboratory assistant about the accident.
  2. Make the spill site as the prohibited area.
  3. Sprinkle sulphur powder to cover up the spill.
  4. Contact the Fire and Rescue Department for further action
• If you are exposed to mercury poisoning, you should:

  • Stay away from the mercury source to prevent further exposure to it
  • Go to the hospital for treatment