Disposal of Mercury
 

In message , djornsk
writes
Some 30 years ago I broke a manometer used for balancing carbs and
collected the mercury into a glass jar which has been living in the
shed.
I recently became a bit bothered about the potential risk should
someone disturb it when I am not around, so decided to take it to the
local recycling centre after establishing that they would accept it so
long as it was inside a sealed container.
To my supply the attendant took the jar and instead of taking it to a
secure cabinet as I expected just threw it in the metal recycling skip.
I can understand that mercury is a metal but so is plutonium and one
wouldn't expect that to be thrown in with the scrap.
Perhaps the explaination lies in the fact that the risks are to a
degree mitigated by mechanical handling and adequate ventilation from
the time the scrap is deposited in the skips, or alternatively the
handling and storage precautions ISTR from my schooldays were OTT.

j

Yes, it will kill you as soon as reflecting your image

send it down here so I can safely dispose of it for you ...

--
geoff