mercury contamination, give me a break!

[Pushrod]

What is with all this hysteria over mercury contamination? It seems like its the new Politically Correct thing to be scared of. Mercury has been in our homes for many decades and people weren't getting sick from it! Last week I heard on the news that they condemed a home because of mercury contamination when a mercury thermometer broke.

It can make you sick with high exposures, the saying "mad as a hatter" comes from the mercury used in the hat trade. Hat makers used mercuric nitrate to shape wool felt hats and over a life time had CHRONIC exposure to this substance that led to neurological disorders.

Also, minimata disease in Japan was another occurance where methylmercury was consumed from eating contaminated fish and resulted in birth defects.

The thing is, it is either chronic exposure to high levels or ingestion that causes problems, the government should issue warnings about a substance and leave it to us to be around it or not. We don't need this "nanny state" mentality that the government has adopted. Let me know what the hazards are and then let me decide! Don't condemn my home over something that has happened a thousand times before across the country without making people sick. This is suppose to be a free country, but more and more people think that the government knows what is best for us and should take care of us, that is called SOCIALISM!!!

Restore the Republic!

The media and the government sure like to stoke the publics fears and create hysteria!!

 

[Chasey_Lane]

If I'm correct, mercury in it's "bouncy" state has no ill effects on you. It's when it's broken down and inhaled or absorbed through the skin which can be fatal or make you sick. Same with asbestos; not a problem until you start breaking into it does it actually harm you.

At any rate, would you want your child in a potentially "dangerous" situation? I think not.

 

[kwillia]

Residual reaction from a rectal thermometer accident...

 

[PrchJrkr]

Residual reaction from a rectal thermometer accident...

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to kwillia again.

 

[huntr1]

What is with all this hysteria over mercury contamination? It seems like its the new Politically Correct thing to be scared of. Mercury has been in our homes for many decades and people weren't getting sick from it! Last week I heard on the news that they condemed a home because of mercury contamination when a mercury thermometer broke.

It can make you sick with high exposures, the saying "mad as a hatter" comes from the mercury used in the hat trade. Hat makers used mercuric nitrate to shape wool felt hats and over a life time had CHRONIC exposure to this substance that led to neurological disorders.

Also, minimata disease in Japan was another occurance where methylmercury was consumed from eating contaminated fish and resulted in birth defects.

The thing is, it is either chronic exposure to high levels or ingestion that causes problems, the government should issue warnings about a substance and leave it to us to be around it or not. We don't need this "nanny state" mentality that the government has adopted. Let me know what the hazards are and then let me decide! Don't condemn my home over something that has happened a thousand times before across the country without making people sick. This is suppose to be a free country, but more and more people think that the government knows what is best for us and should take care of us, that is called SOCIALISM!!!

Restore the Republic!

The media and the government sure like to stoke the publics fears and create hysteria!!

My dad has a jar of mercury. He's had it for about 30 years. Probably 1/4 cup.

 

[Vince]

My dad has a jar of mercury. He's had it for about 30 years. Probably 1/4 cup.

This stuff goes boom.
Mercury fulminate is white when pure but ordinarily, it has a faint brownish yellow or gray tint. It is a heavy, practically non-hygroscopic, crystalline solid. When dry, mercury fulminate is very sensitive to heat, friction, spark, flame, and shock. The sensitivity is so great that accidents, especially during manufacturing, are numerous. The precautions given for lead azide shall be used when using mercury fulminate. Whether it is wet or dry, mercury fulminate shall not be permitted to come into contact with materials such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc, copper, brass, or bronze.

 

[huntr1]

This stuff goes boom.
Mercury fulminate is white when pure but ordinarily, it has a faint brownish yellow or gray tint. It is a heavy, practically non-hygroscopic, crystalline solid. When dry, mercury fulminate is very sensitive to heat, friction, spark, flame, and shock. The sensitivity is so great that accidents, especially during manufacturing, are numerous. The precautions given for lead azide shall be used when using mercury fulminate. Whether it is wet or dry, mercury fulminate shall not be permitted to come into contact with materials such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc, copper, brass, or bronze.

Nope, his is the regular silver liquid stuff.

 

[Sharon]

I looked for a mercury thermometer recently and couldn't find one. The pharmacist said they were made with "something else" now, but they didn't sell those either. I had to buy another lame-o digital.

It's a wonder millions of us survived as a children.

 

[RoseRed]

It's a wonder millions of us survived as a children.

 

[Magnum]

I can remember a kid in school that stole a few thermometers from science class, took them on the bus and broke them in the middle of the bus. We all watched it roll back and forth, then started stomping on it. It was fun but Guess I'm going to die according to the news

 

[Toxick]

What is with all this hysteria over mercury contamination?

Did you know that the average fish today contains more mercury than a rectal thermometer?


WOULD YOU EAT A RECTAL THERMOMETER?

 

[greyhound]

The biggest threat to health if I remember science correctly ...is from inhaled mercury. If you have a spill from a broken thermometer you are supposed to open windows to get ventilation. The news said that they found mercury vapors at the school in DC. If it happened at a school that my children attend..better safe than sorry. They really didn't know the exact amount that was released. Oh and children are at a greater risk from exposer because their bodies are still developing.

 

[Sharon]

The biggest threat to health if I remember science correctly ...is from inhaled mercury. If you have a spill from a broken thermometer you are supposed to open windows to get ventilation.

In my Jr.High science class, the teacher dropped mercury into dish so we could watch it roll around. It's a wonder we all didn't drop dead.

 

[cattitude]

In my Jr.High science class, the teacher dropped mercury into dish so we could watch it roll around. It's a wonder we all didn't drop dead.

I remember passing it around and having it roll all around in our palms. Mr. Strachan...where are you now?

 

[RoseRed]

I broke a thermometer in the sink and the mercury rolled down the drain. Probably right into San Francisco Bay.

 

[Kizzy]

Did you know that the average fish today contains more mercury than a rectal thermometer?


WOULD YOU EAT A RECTAL THERMOMETER?

Yep and I still eat fish. :shrug: You'd have to live in a bubble to avoid all the things that could have the potential to be harmful.

 

[greyhound]

Adults are not as much at risk as children. I'm not going to stop eating fish. From what i've read mercury that is ingested does pass through the body. (small amounts do remain) It's when it is inhaled that is the problem. This inhaled mercury does not leave the body.

 

[justin anemone]

I remember passing it around and having it roll all around in our palms. Mr. Strachan...where are you now?

I've talked to a bunch of people about this lately. Our science teacher used to give it to us to play with, and I'm not the only one who's had that experience.
We'd drop it on the floors, roll it around our hands, on pieces of paper...Geez.
Now they spill a drop and they shut the place down for weeks!

I mean...look at me! I came out just fine, didn't I???








What's the difference between an oral and a rectal thermometer?


The taste!

 

[Tonio]

When I first heard about the story, I wondered if some kids were planting the stuff so school would be cancelled. Remember when kids were pulling the fire alarm just to get out of class, and schools began planting ink packs in the switches?

 

[gigglestick]