Mercury is a heavy, silver colored metal element which is in a variety of household, chemical and industrial items like thermometers, thermostats and fluorescent light bulbs, energy saving light bulbs, and blood pressure monitoring devices. Mercury is also used in barometers, batteries containing mercury, and some small electronic devices. It is in outdoor lighting, motion picture projection, and even in the manufacture of some medications.

Liquid mercury evaporates at room temperature and these vapors are invisible, odorless, and at high levels are very toxic. Mercury vapors can harm the nervous systems, cardiovascular system, digestive tract, kidneys, and normal childhood development. Since it is toxic to humans and wildlife, it must be managed properly.

A small spill is less than 2 tablespoons or 1 fluid ounce of mercury, which would make a pool about the size of a quarter.

A fever thermometer contains 0.5 -0.7.grams of mercury.
A 4 foot fluorescent light bulb contains 10-40 milligrams
A thermostat contains approximately 3 grams.
A sphygmomanometer (blood pressure measuring device) contains hundreds of grams of mercury.

The small amount of elemental mercury in thermometers and thermostats is not likely to cause serious health problems if it is cleaned up immediately. The mercury in a broken fluorescent light bulb is not readily visible but it also should be cleaned up promptly.

Procedures to be followed in cleanup after a thermometer is broken either in the home or workplace:

Everyone should stay away from the area to avoid the spread of contamination.
Children and pregnant women should be removed from the area immediately.
Ventilate the room or area.
Check for mercury on the soles of the shoes and clothing.
Remove any contaminated clothes that might have been splashed with mercury.
Assemble clean up supplies:
Eye dropper or syringe without a needle to pick up the mercury
Plastic container with lid to hold mercury
Wide duct tape or masking tape to help pick up mercury beads
Plastic zip-lock bags to store any mercury contaminated debris
Rubber gloves to protect hands from contact
Trash bag to contain any mercury waste
Index cards, playing cards, or rigid paper for collecting beads
Flashlight
Collect the mercury and place it in unbreakable plastic container
Use a bright light to illuminate hidden droplets and clean up, using either a card or dust pan.
With a card, gently push mercury droplets away from carpet, fabric, or porous surfaces and towards other droplets to combine them into larger droplets.
Use flashlight to check carefully for any missed beads of mercury.
Continue ventilation of area.
If mercury contaminated carpeting or a soft surface item, evaluate its removal.
Package materials securely and label "Mercury contaminated".
Disposal requirements may differ depending on whether the spill occurred in a household or business.

When cleaning up a small spill, NEVER:

Never use an ordinary vacuum or shop vacuum to clean up as it creates toxic vapors.
Never use a broom or paintbrush as it breaks mercury into smaller beads and scatters it further.
Never walk around in an area that is contaminated with mercury.
Never put mercury in the trash or a burn barrel.
Never wash mercury contaminated clothing in washing machine as it may contaminate the machine and get into water system.
Never pour down the drain.

The cleanup of a small mercury spill is not complex and it can be done safely if these procedures are followed.