Additional Resources

Training

• Mercury Use Reduction & Waste Prevention in Medical Facilities. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), (2003). Provides a interactive environmental education software program (developed jointly by Purdue University and the EPA).

Other Resources

• DiCarlo, M., B. Ruck, and S. Marcus. "How Should a Fever Mercury Thermometer be Disposed of?" Pediatrics 109.5(2002): E71-1.
• ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. Dental mercury hygiene recommendations.

Possible Solutions

Controlling mercury exposure is best accomplished through substituting it with a non-toxic chemical, depending on the application. If this cannot be done, engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used.

Evaluation

Mercury and its compounds exist in three general forms:

• Elemental (or metallic).
• Inorganic. Mercury can combine with other elements (mainly chlorine, sulfur, and oxygen) to form inorganic mercury compounds.
• Organic. Mercury may combine with carbon or carbon-containing substances to make organic mercury compounds. These organic compounds are further divided between alkyl (carbon-chain) and aryl (aromatic ring) groups.

The respective methods for sampling the different forms of mercury are:

Properties and Health Effects

Mercury and its compounds exist in three general forms:

Overview