LawHealth and Safety

Mercury: a danger to humans. Than mercury is dangerous

The first information about the compounds containing mercury comes to us from the depths of centuries. Aristotle mentions it for the first time in 350 BC, but archaeological finds indicate an earlier period of application. The main areas of use of mercury were medicine, painting and architecture, the manufacture of Venetian mirrors, processing of metals, etc. Its properties people figured out only by experiment, which required a lot of time and cost many lives. The fact that mercury is dangerous to humans has been known since the beginning of its use. Modern methods and methods of research are much more effective and safer, but still people do not know much about this metal.

Chemical element

Under normal conditions, mercury is a heavy liquid of white-silver color, its belonging to metals was proved by MV Lomonosov and IA Braun in 1759. Scientists have proved that in solid state it is electrically conductive and can be subjected to forging. Mercury (Hydrargyrum, Hg) in the periodic system of DI Mendeleev has an atomic number of 80, is located in the sixth period, in the 2nd group and belongs to the zinc subgroup. Translated from the Latin language, the word literally means "silver water", from Old Russian - "roll." The uniqueness of the element lies in the fact that it is the only liquid metal that in nature is scattered and occurs in the form of compounds. A drop of mercury, rolling down the rock, is an impossible phenomenon. The molar mass of the element is 200 g / mol, the radius of the atom is 157 pm.

Properties

At a temperature of 20 ° C, the specific gravity of mercury is 13.55 g / cm 3 , for the melting process, -39 ° C is required, for boiling -357 ° C, for freezing -38.89 ° C. The increased saturated vapor pressure gives a high evaporation rate . With increasing temperature, mercury vapor becomes the most dangerous for living organisms, and for this process, water or any other liquid is not an obstacle. The most demanded in practice is the production of amalgam, which is formed as a result of the dissolution of the metal in mercury. With its large amount of alloy obtained semi-liquid aggregate state. Mercury easily leaves the compound, which is used in the process of extracting precious metals from ore. Metals such as tungsten, iron, molybdenum, vanadium do not lend themselves to amalgamation. Chemically, mercury is a fairly persistent element that easily transforms into a native state and reacts with oxygen only at high temperatures (300 ° C). When interacting with acids, dissolution occurs only in nitric acid and royal vodka. Metal mercury is oxidized with sulfur or potassium permanganate. It actively reacts with halogens (iodine, bromine, fluorine, chlorine) and nonmetals (selenium, phosphorus, sulfur). Organic compounds with a carbon atom (alkyl-mercury) are the most stable and are formed in natural conditions. Methylmercury is considered to be one of the most toxic organometallic compounds with a short chain of bonds. In this state of mercury, the danger for man acquires the highest.

Being in nature

If we consider mercury as a mineral, which is used in many industries and spheres of human economic activity, then this is a fairly rare metal. According to experts, the surface layer of the earth's crust contains only 0.02% of the total amount of the element mentioned. The largest part of mercury and its compounds is found in the waters of the World Ocean and dispersed in the atmosphere. Recent studies show that the large content of this element contains the Earth's mantle. In accordance with this statement, the notion of "mercury breathing of the Earth" arose. It consists in the degassing process with further evaporation from the surface. The largest release of mercury occurs at the time of volcanic eruptions. Further natural and technogenic emissions are included in the cycle, which occurs due to the connection with other elements under favorable natural conditions. The process of formation and decomposition of mercury vapors has been poorly studied, but the most probable hypothesis is the participation of certain species of bacteria in it. But the main problem is methyl- and demethyl derivatives, which are actively formed in nature - in the atmosphere, water (bottom sediments or sectors with the greatest pollution by organic substances) - without the participation of catalysts. Methylmercury has a very high similarity with biological molecules. The more dangerous mercury is, this is the possibility of accumulation in any living organism due to the ease of penetration and adaptation.

Place of Birth

Mercury-containing and mercury minerals are more than 100, but cinnabar is the main compound that ensures profitability of production. As a percentage, it has the following structure: sulfur 12-14%, mercury 86-88%, with native mercury, faded ores, metacinnabarit, etc., are concomitant with the basic sulphide mineral. The sizes of cinnabar crystals reach 3-5 cm (maximum), the most common are 0.1-0.3 mm in size and can contain impurities of zinc, silver, arsenic, etc. (up to 20 elements). There are about 500 ore deposits in the world, the deposits of Spain, Slovenia, Italy, and Kyrgyzstan are the most productive. Two main methods are used for processing ore: oxidation at high temperature with the release of mercury and enrichment of the initial material, followed by processing of the concentrate obtained.

Areas of use

Due to the fact that the danger of mercury is proven, since the 70s of the XX century its use in medicine has been limited. The exception is the mertiolate used for the preservation of vaccines. Amalgam of silver for today still occurs in dentistry, but is actively replaced by light-reflecting seals. The most widespread use of hazardous metal is fixed when creating instruments and precision instruments. Mercury vapor is used for the operation of fluorescent and quartz lamps. In this case, the result depends on the coating of the light-transmitting housing. Due to the unique heat capacity, metallic mercury is in demand in the production of high-precision measuring instruments - thermometers. Alloys are used for the manufacture of position sensors, bearings, sealed switches, electric drives, valves, etc. Biocide paints previously also contained mercury and were used to cover the hulls of the vessel, which prevented them from fouling. The chemical industry in large volumes uses the salts of this element as a catalyst in the isolation of acetaldehyde. In the agro-industrial complex, sulham and calomel are used for processing seed stock - toxic mercury protects grain and seeds from pests. In metallurgy, amalgams are most in demand. Mercury compounds are often used as an electrolytic catalyst for the production of chlorine, alkali and active metals. Gold producers use this chemical element for ore processing. Mercury and its compounds are used in jewelry, in the manufacture of mirrors and secondary processing of aluminum.

Toxicity (the more dangerous mercury is)

As a result of man's technogenic activity, the concentration of toxic substances, pollutants increases in our environment. One of these elements, designated in the first positions by the virulence, is mercury. Danger to humans are organic and inorganic compounds and vapors. It is a cumulative highly toxic poison that can accumulate in the human body for years or arrive at a time. The central nervous system, the enzymatic and hematopoietic system is affected, and the degree and outcome of poisoning depends on the dose and method of penetration, the toxicity of the compound, and the time of exposure. Chronic poisoning with mercury (accumulation of a critical mass of matter in the body) is characterized by the presence of asthenovegetative syndrome, a violation of the activity of the nervous system. The first signs are: the trembling of the eyelids, the tips of the fingers, and then the limbs, the tongue and the whole body. With the further development of poisoning, insomnia, headaches, nausea, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, neurasthenia, memory are disturbed. If mercury vapor is poisoned, then respiratory tract diseases are characteristic symptoms. With the continued impact of the poison agent, the failure of the withdrawal system, which can lead to a lethal outcome.

Poisoning with salts of mercury

The fastest and most complex process. Symptoms: headache, metallic taste, bleeding gums, stomatitis, increased urination with a gradual reduction and complete cessation. In severe form, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and liver are characterized. If a person survives, he will forever be disabled. The action of mercury leads to the precipitation of proteins and the hemolysis of blood red blood cells. Against the background of these symptoms irreversible damage to the central nervous system takes place. Such an element as mercury is a danger to humans in any form of interaction, and the consequences of poisoning can be irreparable: by influencing the entire organism, they can be reflected in the next generations.

Ways of penetration of poison

The main sources of poisoning are air, water, food. Mercury can penetrate the respiratory tract when the substance evaporates from the surface. Good skin capacity is provided by the skin and gastrointestinal tract. For poisoning, it is enough to swim in a pond that is polluted with industrial wastes containing mercury; Eat foods with a high content of a chemical element that can enter into them from infected biological species (fish, meat). Mercury vapor poisoning is obtained, as a rule, as a result of professional activity - in case of non-observance of safety precautions in the production connected with this element. The poisoning in domestic conditions is not an exception. This is due to inadequate operation of instruments and instruments containing mercury and its compounds.

Danger of mercury from thermometer

The most commonly used high-precision medical instrument is a thermometer, it is available in every home. In normal living conditions, most people do not have access to highly toxic compounds that contain mercury. "Have broken a thermometer" is the most probable situation of interaction with a poison. Most of our compatriots still use mercury thermometers. This is due primarily to the accuracy of their testimony and the population's distrust of new technologies. In the case of damage to the thermometer, mercury is a danger to humans, of course, but an even greater threat is illiteracy. If a number of simple manipulations are performed quickly, efficiently and efficiently, then the harm to health, if it is done, the minimal

.

Step 1

First of all, it is necessary to assemble all parts of the broken thermometer and mercury. This is the most time-consuming process, but the health of all members of the family and domestic animals depends on its fulfillment. For proper disposal, it is necessary to take a glass vessel, which must necessarily be hermetically sealed. Before starting work from the room, all tenants are removed, it is best to go out into the street or into another room where there is the possibility of constant airing. The process of collecting drops of mercury can not be performed with a vacuum cleaner or a broom. The latter can break up the larger fractions of the metal and provide a larger area of their distribution. When working with a vacuum cleaner, the danger lies in the process of heating the engine during operation, and the effect of temperature will accelerate the volatility of the particles, and this household equipment can not be used after that, it will only be disposed of.

Sequencing

  1. Wear disposable rubber gloves, medical mask, shoe covers or plastic bags on shoes.
  2. Thoroughly inspect the place where the thermometer was broken; If there is a chance of mercury entering textiles, clothes, carpets, they are sealed in a bag for garbage and recycled.
  3. Glass parts are collected in a prepared container.
  4. Large drops of mercury with a sheet of paper, a needle or knitting needles are collected from the floor surface.
  5. Armed with a flashlight or by increasing the illumination of the room, it is necessary to expand the search for smaller particles (due to the color of the metal it is easy to find).
  6. Carefully examined are the floor slits, joints of the parquet, skirting to avoid possible falling of smaller drops.
  7. In hard-to-reach places, mercury is collected by a syringe, which is later recyclable.
  8. Small drops of metal can be collected with adhesive tape, patch.
  9. During the entire operation time, it is necessary to go into the ventilated room or outside every 20 minutes.
  10. All items and improvised means used in collecting mercury must be disposed of together with the contents of the thermometer.

Step 2

After a thorough mechanical assembly, the room must be chemically treated. You can use potassium permanganate (manganese) - a solution of high concentration (dark color) in the quantity necessary for the treated area. It is necessary to wear new rubber gloves and a mask. All surfaces are treated with the resulting solution with rags, and the existing depressions, cracks, cracks and joints are best filled with mortar. For the next 10 hours it is better to leave the surface untouched. At the end of this time, the solution of potassium permanganate is washed off with clean water, then cleaning is carried out using detergents and throughout the apartment. The following 6-7 days are mandatory for regular airing of the room and daily wet cleaning. To make sure of the absence of mercury, you can invite specialists with special equipment from the epidemiology centers.

Methods of treatment of intoxication

WHO identifies the eight most dangerous substances, the content of which in the atmosphere, food and water must be carefully monitored, due to their danger to human life and health. This lead, cadmium, arsenic, tin, iron, copper, zinc and, of course, mercury. The hazard class of these elements is very high, and the consequences of poisoning by them can not be completely eliminated. The basis of treatment is to protect a person from further contact with the poison. In case of weak and non-chronic cases of mercury poisoning, it is excreted from the body with feces, urine, sweat. The toxic dose is 0.4 ml, the lethal dose is from 100 mg. If there is a suspicion of interaction with the poison, it is necessary to consult a specialist who, based on the results of the tests, will determine the degree of intoxication and prescribe therapy.

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