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Mercury and Schools

Mercury and Schools. Introduction. Outline. By the end of this activity you will learn: What mercury is Why mercury is dangerous Where mercury is found How mercury gets into the environment What we can do to stay safe. Acknowledgement .

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Mercury and Schools

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  1. Mercury and Schools Introduction

  2. Outline By the end of this activity you will learn: • What mercury is • Why mercury is dangerous • Where mercury is found • How mercury gets into the environment • What we can do to stay safe

  3. Acknowledgement • This program has been made possible by a generous grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Pollutants (PBT) Program. • Region VI staff: Ruben R. Casso PBT/Toxics Coordinator Donna Cooper Project Manager

  4. Mercury is………… • A heavy metal • Naturally occurring, found in cinnabar • mined in Spain, Algeria, Kyrgyzstan & China • Found in coal, oil & natural gas • Highly toxic to humans & other living organisms • Endangers the environment

  5. Characteristics of Mercury (Hg) • Element - never breaks down • Liquid at room temperature • Expands and contracts uniformly with changes in temperature. • Conducts electricity • Mixes easily with other metals

  6. Characteristics of Mercury • Evaporates at room temperature • Travels long distance when volatilized • Is extremely dense • Kills bacteria and fungi

  7. Harmful Impacts

  8. Mercury at Home & School • Thermometers • Switches • Appliances • Batteries • Cars • Fluorescent Bulbs • Some Computers

  9. Mercury Exposure Metallic Mercury vaporizes into the air at room temperature. The vapors present an immediate health risk to everyone spending a significant amount of time in a room where mercury has been sprinkled or spilled on the floor, or where open containers of mercury are present.

  10. Mercury Exposure Hat makers: One hundred years ago, their behavior was considered eccentric. They used felt (mixed with mercury) in the manufacturing of hats. Mercury absorbed into their bodies. The Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland

  11. Mercury Exposure Metallic mercury and its vapors are extremely difficult to remove . The vapors accumulate in walls and other articles in contaminated rooms. The contamination can remain for months or years.

  12. Mercury Exposure Mercury can accumulate in electronic equipment especially computers. When the computer is turned on, the mercury re-vaporizes. This cycle of metallic mercury has been seen in incidents in schools.

  13. How Does Mercury Get Into the Air? • Mercury is found Fossil Fuels especially coal • 54% electricity in the US comes from burning coal • When coal is burned, Mercury is released into the air

  14. How Does Mercury Get Into the Air in the USA?

  15. Water Cycle Precipitation Condensation Infiltration Evaporation Groundwater

  16. From Mercury to Methylmercury In water, (streams, lakes, rivers, oceans) Mercury is transformed to a very TOXIC FORM Mercury Bacteria and Chemical Processes Methylmercury

  17. Methylmercury = Methylmercury

  18. Bioaccumulation & Methylmercury = Methylmercury

  19. Food Chain & Bioaccumulation in Humans

  20. Fish Advisories • Fish advisories tell people how much fish is safe to eat. • Mercury is especially dangerous to fetuses, and to all growing children. So it’s important to not eat too much of the larger fish (High on the food chain)

  21. You Can Prevent Mercury Pollution • Educate yourself and others • Buy mercury-free alternatives • Keep mercury OUT of the garbage • Conserve electricity

  22. In this section we discussed: • What mercury is • Why mercury is dangerous • Where mercury is found • How mercury gets into the environment • What we can do to stay safe

  23. Mercury in Schools Where to Look & What to Look for

  24. Outline By the end of this activity you will learn to find Mercury in school related areas: • Science , Chemistry, Physics & Biology Classrooms • Nurses Office • Electrical And Heating Equipment

  25. Science, Chemistry, Physics & Biology Classrooms Check for: metallic mercury, mercury compounds, thermometers, barometers or other devices that may contain mercury Metallic mercury may have “settled” in sink traps.

  26. Science, Chemistry, Physics & Biology Classrooms Why? They were used in various experiments. They may still be in a cabinet or chemical closet.

  27. Science, Chemistry, Physics & Biology Classrooms Alternatives: • Other chemicals can be used in class experiments to illustrate science or chemistry principles • Alcohol or electronic thermometers are readily available and accurate

  28. Science, Chemistry, Physics & Biology Classrooms Possible Actions • Make sure any mercury, mercury compounds, or thermometers are in non-breakable containers • Items should be collected by school engineering and/or janitorial staff, held in secure area prior recycling them

  29. Science, Chemistry, Physics & Biology Classrooms Possible Actions • If mercury devices will not be replaced, obtain spill kits for the science classrooms and storage rooms • Make certain that several staff members are trained in proper spill control procedures • Buy mercury free alternatives

  30. Nurse’s Office Check for thermometers, blood pressure measuring devices (sphygmomanometer), nasal spray and contact lens solution. Metallic mercury may have “settled” in sink traps

  31. Nurse’s Office Why? • Mercury thermometers are used to check body temperature. Sphygmomanometers can contain several pounds of mercury. • Nasal spray and contact lens may contain thimersol (an ingredient that has mercury in it.), phenyl mercuric acetate or phenyl mercuric nitrate.

  32. Nurse’s Office Alternatives: • Alcohol or electronic thermometers are readily available. • Aneroid blood pressure devices are available, shock resistant and effective. • Many brands of nasal spray and contact lens do not contain mercury.

  33. Nurse’s Office Possible Actions • Make sure any mercury, mercury compounds or thermometers are in non-breakable containers. • Items should be collected by school engineering and/or janitorial staff and held in secure area prior to recycling them.

  34. Nurse’s Office Possible Actions • If mercury products will not replaced, obtain a spill kit for the nurse’s office • Make sure that nurses are trained in proper spill control procedures • Use up existing stock of nasal spray or contact lens solutions then buy mercury free alternatives

  35. Electrical & Heating Equipment Check for thermostats, “silent” light switches and disposal/management of fluorescent light bulbs

  36. Electrical & Heating Equipment Why? • Thermostats are used to control the temperature in buildings. • Approximately 75% of thermostats in use today contain mercury. • Many “silent“ light switches contain mercury. • Fluorescent tubes in overhead lighting contain a minute amount of mercury but their total can be significant.

  37. Electrical & Heating Equipment Alternatives: • Electronic thermostats and non-mercury switches are widely available • Fluorescent bulbs should be recycled rather than thrown out

  38. Electrical & Heating Equipment Possible Actions Place stickers (designed by students) on any mercury thermostats or silent switches that indicate: • This device contains mercury • When this device is disposed, the mercury should be recycled • When purchasing a replacement, a mercury free model should be chosen

  39. Electrical & Heating Equipment Possible Actions • Notify purchasing department and specify mercury free thermostats or light fixtures when replacing . • Many HVAC contractors will recycle mercury thermostats. http://www.nema.org/index_nema.cfm/664#find

  40. Electrical & Heating Equipment Possible Actions • Your school should recycle fluorescent bulbs by replacing them in their original box in a safe, secure storage area until they are collected by a recycling contractor.

  41. Which Lamps Contain Mercury? • Fluorescent lamps • Mercury vapor lamps • Metal halide lamps • High pressure sodium lamps • Neon lamps • High intensity discharge lamps

  42. In this section we discussed: • Where to find Mercury in school related areas: • Science, Chemistry, Physics & Biology Classrooms • Nurse’s Office • Electrical And Heating Equipment

  43. Mercury At Home

  44. Outline By the end of this activity you will learn: • Types of Uses or Releases of Mercury From Households • % of Mercury in Households • How to Hunt for Mercury at Home • Opportunities to Use Mercury Free Electric Lamps

  45. Fluorescent lamps Appliance switches (chest freezers, washing machines) Automotive switches Thermostats Button batteries Light switches Thermometers Dental fillings Types of Uses or Releases From Households

  46. % of Mercury in Households

  47. Hunt for Mercury at Home • Share information about mercury with your family • Family members may be able to help you identify products that contain mercury • You do not need to throw out all the mercury-containing products that you find • Use common sense, recycling, safety and pollution prevention before taking action • Buying smart is a great way to prevent pollution!

  48. Hunt for Mercury at Home

  49. Hunt for Mercury at Home

  50. The Use of Mercury Reduced Electric Lamps - An Update • Fluorescent Lamps • HID Lamps

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