OT: disposing of mercury (bottle)

[chenick]

I came across a bottle of mercury when we were clearing out my grandmother's house - it weighs 2.2kg (~5 lbs)

Just wondering what to do with it... is it worth anything, or should I just bring it to my recycling centre/hazardous waste disposal?

Pity it's so toxic, I'd say it would be cool stuff to play with... 😎

-Nick

 

[KoNickon]

I think we all (of a certain age) have played with mercury droplets -- fascinating stuff. But that much is dangerous to keep around. It probably is worth something -- contact a metals dealer and see what they say. At the least they might recommend who would have a use for it. Failing that, the hazardous waste disposal folks should handle it. What in the world was so much of it doing in your grandmother's house?

 

[rbiemer]

Some polished copper plates and you've got a start on Daguerrotypes...😀
Mercury isn't cheap; I just checked and it retails for around $350(USD) for 5 pounds.
Rob

 

[BrianShaw]

Perhaps you could consider donating it to the chemistry department of a local school or university.

 

[jdos2]

Ack! I've been thinking of getting more (and iodine) to start back up my Daguerrian work. Without access to a fume hood, it's more poisonous than I'd like.

Go to the nearest chemical plant and ask 'em for their hazardous materials officer. He'll help you get rid of the stuff. Five pounds might be worth something to someone, but free in the environment can cause heartache.

 

[chenick]

Thanks for the quick replies.
I've no idea what it was used for!

Cheers
Nick

 

[jlw]

It is really, really dangerous. Not only can it kill you, or destroy your brain tissue (the expression "mad as a hatter" comes from hat-makers going insane from inhaling mercury fumes formerly used in making felt hats) it can also cause birth defects. Get professional help immediately to dispose of it.

I don't know how things are in Ireland, but where I live in the US we had an incident a couple of months ago in which workmen found a much smaller vial of mercury in an old gun shop they were remodeling. They called the state's department of environmental quality to ask what to do about it. The DEQ immediately sent over an hazmat team -- white bunny suits and the whole schmeer -- to take charge of it. They also made the property owner remove the shelves and floorboards and send them to a hazardous-waste incinerator, just in case any of the mercury had leaked or spilled into the wood.

I wouldn't worry about trying to get money for it - just get rid of it. You probably would be violating environmental laws if you tried to sell it without a permit.

 

[Pherdinand]

Heh
maybe your gramma was a gold miner?🙂
Look more through that house - you might find gold too!

 

[Pherdinand]

You can also set up an illegal workshop to fabricate mercury batteries for our oldies 😉

 

[chenick]

You can also set up an illegal workshop to fabricate mercury batteries for our oldies 😉

Now that's a good idea... send me your old mercury batteries and I'll refill them for you!! If I wear rubber gloves and hold my breath I should be fine 🙂

On a more serious note, it can do verynasty things to you; I'll be glad to be rid of it.

-Nick

 

[Roger S.]

Contact your town and tell them you need help getting rid of the mercury as hazardous waste. Before moving it, I'd explain to them what it is, the quanity, and what kind of container it's stored in.

Failing that, your environmental protection agency might be able to assist.
Be careful!

 

[Bill58]

I'd second that cooment about contacting your local government's health, solid waste or environmental dept. If you get caught wrongly disposing of it, your goose would be cooked--it's against the law w/ serious penalties/ fines for wrongful disposal.