Mercury-silver amalgam is used as a common tooth filling. If you have ever had a filling that's what was probably used unless you requested something else. The amalgam gives off vapor as it ages and metallic mercury vapor is directly ingested into your body. There are some compounds of mercury which are especially dangerous and or deadly. However there are probably worse risks in the environment than the metallic mercury that would be released by accidently breaking a thermomitor.
At 09:24 AM 3/26/2002 +0000, mike wrote: >Hi, > >Mick Maguire wrote: > > > > I don't know much about mercury being > > a no-no, it's like Bill says you have to be very careful with it and I > guess > > that you need to make sure they / it is disposed of properly when the time > > comes. > >Some more information. Mercury en masse is comparatively >harmless. Its compounds and vapour are much more hazardous. >For photographers, the main hazard is vapour from a breakage >massing in the enclosed space of your darkroom, which you may >spend some hours breathing. The vapour is heavy, so it would >normally tend to stay near the floor but movement will stir it >up. Off the top of my head, I think mercury will concentrate in >the air to something like 200 times the short term exposure >limit. Don't forget mercury can affect your yet to be born >progeny. > >If you break a thermometer, make sure you clear everything >up.... > >If anyone wants more detailed instructions on how to deal with >mercury spills, mail me off list. > >mike >- >This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, >go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to >visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
