Is it possible to collect mercury with a vacuum cleaner?

Is it possible to collect mercury with a vacuum cleaner? This is not a good idea. When particles of the substance get into it, they heat up and increase several times, and when they break into the dust collector, they turn into dangerous dust. It, in turn, enters your body through the respiratory tract and mucous membranes, and also, being sprayed throughout the room, settles on objects.

Why you shouldn't vacuum up mercury

Why can't you vacuum up mercury? After such cleaning, the device will emit mercury vapor, which is dangerous to the body.

Even next to a switched off unit, a device that captures toxic fumes will show an increased concentration of mercury particles in the air. What can we say about a switched-on household appliance - in this situation, the vapors of this metal will exceed the safe limit by 10 times.

What to do with a vacuum cleaner if it has collected mercury.

If I removed mercury with a vacuum cleaner, what should I do? Make sure it actually contains hazardous metal particles. This can be done using test strips. They can be ordered online. The average price is 600–800 rubles per package.

Instructions on how to use test strips:

1. Disassemble the vacuum cleaner and put all the parts in a bag.
2. Place a test strip in the bag (Read the instructions carefully).
3. If the strip turns light gray after 1.5-2 hours, it means the concentration of hazardous vapors is high.
4. In this case, remove each part of the vacuum cleaner one by one, using the method of elimination.
5. If mercury particles settle on replaceable or replaceable parts, then they can simply be thrown into special containers and replaced with new ones.
6. If the main part of the vacuum cleaner is affected by dangerous particles, there are three options: you can get rid of the old household device; try to demercurize it (remove mercury) yourself; call specialists.

Important! In the room itself, you also need to measure the content of dangerous fumes in the air using test strips.

Cleaning a vacuum cleaner from mercury on your own: expert advice

What to do with a vacuum cleaner that has collected mercury? If you do not want to lose your device, there are three ways out of the situation.

The first is to call the SEP team for demercurization. Calling professionals will cost you little. This is the easiest and most effective way.

If for some reason you cannot call specialists, there are special products on sale. They are designed specifically for the elimination of mercury vapor by ordinary people.

Another option to solve the problem is to use improvised means.

Action plan:

1. Put on shoe covers, rubber gloves and a cotton-gauze bandage.
2. Mix an aqueous solution for demercurization, in a proportion of 2–3 g of manganese per 1 liter. warm water.
3. Wipe all parts of the vacuum cleaner with it.
4. Dispose of all personal protective equipment after collecting mercury.
5. Replace the filters and dust container in the household appliance with new ones.

What to do with the room where mercury was collected with a vacuum cleaner

1. Remove all people and animals from the premises and close the door tightly.
2. Seal the cracks in the doorway of the room where the incident occurred.
3. Ventilate the room. But do not create drafts - in this case, dangerous vapors will scatter throughout the apartment.
4. Protect yourself by wearing a respirator, rubber gloves and shoe covers.
5. Collect mercury. Use tape, a rubber bulb, a syringe, etc., or call environmental assistance.
6. Cover the vacuum cleaner and other spill areas with rags.
7. To reduce the risk of poisoning, consume more clean water.Important! You cannot collect mercury with a broom or mop, as this will only spread toxic substances throughout the apartment. Do not flush mercury down the drain; this will expose your entire home to poisoning.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones - do not try to neutralize the threat yourself! Call the experts.