Mercury Threat?

[Moonliner]

Students (along with a teacher) at a local high school broke a thermometer.
The ENTIRE school was closed due to "mercury contamination". Ohh good grief. :rolleyes: My chemistry teacher used to poor the stuff out on a desk top and let us take turns pushing it around with a pencil. None of us suffered any perminemnt effect, well at least not those that are still alive.

[Not Afraid]

Next time I break a thermometor, I'll call HASMAT.

[€uroMeinke]

Guess what the kids are going to do next time they want to leave early....

(Pssst Blueerica, bring a thermometer to class next time)

[Name]

:rolleyes:

nuff said

[MickeyD]

Haha, when I was younger, my dad let me play with mercury all the time. Since I don't eat fish, I guess it was his way of making sure I had enough mercury in my body. ;)

[Motorboat Cruiser]

It just so happens that there is a story today about mercury (http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/03/06/schools.mercury.ap/index.html).

From the story:


Mercury turns into a problem when it is spilled and evaporates into airborne vapors, which can be absorbed into the body through breathing.

Exposure to high levels of metallic mercury can damage the brain, kidneys and lungs. Prolonged exposure to lower levels can cause problems with sleep, sight, hearing and memory, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

The Environmental Protection Agency has encouraged schools to remove mercury compounds and mercury-containing equipment. The agency is helping schools get rid of those materials.

[mhrc4]

what is this world coming to?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I thought we were at peace with Mercury. Can a planet that close to the sun harbor a real threat? :p

[Gn2Dlnd]

It's the heat, makes 'em crazy.

(and you can use that explanation for certain neighborhoods on this planet, too ;) )

[Tref]

I thought we were at peace with Mercury. Can a planet that close to the sun harbor a real threat? :p

Hehe.