Materials engineering

Mercury is a common element that is found naturally in a loose state or mixed in ores. Because quicksilver is very dense, expands and contracts as with temperature changes, and has high electrical conductivity, it has been used in thousands of industrial, agricultural, medical, and household applications. Major uses of hectogram include dental amalgams, shimmy transferes, thermometers, lamps, pigments, batteries, reagents, barometers, manometers, and hydrometers. It also whitethorn be exhibit in rocks or released during vol commodeic activity. (Ross & Associates, 1994)Mercury can enter the environment from a number of paths. For example, if a quicksilver-containing item is thrown into the gar h carrygripe, the hydrargyrum may be released into the atmosphere from landfill vapors or, or the hectogram may fly if the trash is incinerated. If mercury is flushed through a fumblewater arrangement, the mercury go out potential adhere to the wastewater sludge, where it has the p otential to volatilize and be deposited elsewhere. Mercury can enter the atmosphere through these various bureau because it evaporates considerably. It can travel through the atmosphere in a volatilised state. (Ross & Associates, 1994)Once mercury is deposited into lakes and streams, bacteria convert some of the mercury into an es displaceial form called methylmercury. This is the form of mercury that humans and other animals ingest when they sap some types fish. Methylmercury is particularly dangerous because it bio compiles in the environment. Bioaccumulation occurs when the methylmercury in fish interweave concentrates as larger fish eat smaller fish. (U.S. EPA, 1994)Methylmercury interferes with the nervous system of human body and can result in a reduced ability to walk, talk, see, and hear. In extreme examples, high levels of methylmercury consumption have resulted in coma or death. Many animals that eat fish also accumulate methylmercury. Mercury can interfere with an a nimals ability to reproduce, and lead to weight loss, or early death. (Ross & Associates, 1994)Instruments containing mercury on campusThermometers Description Thermometers include fever thermometers for headquarters and medical use, laboratory thermometers, and industrial thermometers.How to post The bulbs of thermometers containing mercury be usually silver in color. Types of mercury thermometers on campus include Laboratory and endure thermometers.Amount of Mercury typical fever thermometers contain closely 0.5 grams of mercury each, while laboratory thermometers contain up to 3 grams of mercury.Pollution barroom Options Mercury-free alternatives are digital, aneroid, and alcohol thermometers, and for most applications they are as accurate as mercury thermometers. Digital thermometers tend to last longer, however, because they are less likely to break.Safe Handling Mercury thermometers are easily broken when not handled carefully. If the break occurs, use two pieces of pap er or two shave blades to scoop it up from a smooth surface. An eyedropper or a mercury vacuum can also be used. Mercury spill kits are available from safety equipment supply companies for large mercury spills. (U.S. EPA, 1994)Safe establishment Save old or broken thermometers in an charge-tight container. Homeowners can use local household hazardous waste collection programmes for disposal. Businesses should stop their thermometers to a integration site or arrange for a conveyer belt to cultivate them. click your county or state environmental state of affairs or solid waste office for services available in your area. Also, carry through the invoices that track your waste that include the quest information date of shipment, list of waste, location from where waste is shipped, and destination of shipment.ThermostatsDescription Mercury-containing thermostats use mercury cant switches.How to report or so thermostats, other than electric thermostats, contain mercury. To determine if a thermostat contains mercury, remove the front plate. Mercury-containing thermostats contain angiotensin converting enzyme or more than small mercury switches. Thermostats are generally mounted on walls and easily found. (U.S. EPA, 1994)Amount of Mercury About 3 grams of mercury are in each mercury tilt switch. Most thermostats have one switch some have two, and up to six switches are possible.Pollution bar Options Programmable electronic thermostats are mercury free, and they are more energy-efficient than the mercury model. pick up for programmable electronic thermostats that have the Energy Star label.Safe Removal channel the full thermostat using a screwdriver and a pair of wire-cutters and stock certificate safely. Dont remove the switches from the thermostat, or dismantle the thermostat.Safe governance workshop the entire thermostat in a marked container until it can be sent for proper disposal. In many states, the Thermostat cycle Corporation operates a recycle program utilizing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) wholesalers eventually this program will be in operation nation-wide. The wholesalers consolidate thermostats from contractors and send them to recyclers unless whole thermostats are accepted. (U.S. EPA, 1995)SwitchesDescription Mercury is contained in temperature-sensitive switches and mechanical tilt switches. Mercury tilt switches are small tubes with electrical contacts at one end of the tube. As the tube tilts, the mercury collects at the lower end, providing a conductive path to compete the circuit. When the switch is tilted back, the circuit is broken.How to Identify A mercury tilt switch is usually present when no switch is visible. They are used in thermostats, silent light switches, and raiment washer lids.Amount of Mercury About 3.5 grams of mercury are contained in a small electrical switch. Industrial switches may contain up to 8 pounds of mercury.Pollution ginmill Option Alternatives to mer cury switches include hard-contact switches and solid switches.Safe Removal Remove switches from appliances very carefully so as not to release any mercury into the environment.Safe DisposalStore mercury switches in a suitable leak proof, closeable containers. A phoebe bird gallon plastic bucket with a lid may work. each(prenominal) container must be labeled Mercury Switches for Recycling.Be careful to pull through the switches from breaking and releasing mercury into the environment.If breakage occurs, you must immediately take steps to contain and clean up the spill.Take switches to a consolidation site or arrange with a transporter to take them.Contact your county or state environmental office/ solid waste office for services in your area.Keep records of the mercury switches you have recycled, including copies of invoices containing information on the date of shipment, number of switches, and location. (U.S. EPA, 1994)Manometers, Barometers, and HydrometersDescription Manometer s and barometers are used for measuring air pressure. Hydrometers are used to measure density of liquid.How to Identify All these devices will have a gauge for reading air pressure.Pollution bar Options The Replacements of mercury containing Manometers are battery operated digital units and vacuum gauges. Battery operated digital units are extremely sensitive.Safe Removal To safely remove the manometer or barometer, remove the entire device from the machine it is attached to.Safe Disposal Put the entire unit into an airtight, labeled container and ship it to a mercury recycling plant.SphygmomanometersDescription Sphygmomanometers are used to measure blood pressure.How to Identify Usually, they are installed on walls and placed on tables in hospitals.Pollution Prevention Options The replacement for mercury sphygmomanometers includes electric vacuum gauges, aneroid monitors, and automated devices.Recycling/Disposal Develop a protocol for the preparation of mercury sphygmomanometers f or recycling or disposal that that is consistent with U.S. environmental Protection Agency, state and local regulations, and pertinent standards. Contact your hazardous waste management coordinator for details about packaging, labeling and transporting that are specific to your facility. A suggested protocol might include the following instructionsPlace the sphygmomanometer in a clear plastic wallet and seal the bag. Do not use a red bag biohazard bag. Mark the bag Contains Mercury. Place the bag in a plastic basin to contain any spills during transport to the designated hazardous waste collection point. BatteriesDescription Mercury zinc, carbon zinc, silver oxide, and zinc air contain mercury. Mercury is used to protect cathode from oxidation.Pollution Prevention Options Most consumers dry-cell batteries contain no added mercury. The best way to reduce mercury is recycling. (U.S. EPA, 1994)ReferencesRoss & Associates environmental Consulting, Ltd. (1994), Mercury Sources andRegula tions Background Information for the Virtual exclusion Pilot Project.Ross & Associates Environmental Consulting, Ltd. (1994), Polychlorinated BiphenylsSources and Regulations Background Information for the Virtual EliminationPilot Project.U.S. EPA. (1994), Virtual Elimination Pilot Project Briefing Packet for MeetingParticipants,U.S. EPA. (1995), Mercury strike name to Congress (External Review Draft)(External Review Draft) U.S. EPA. (1995), Mercury Study Report to Congress