Save me from weekends.

[icepixie]

So, what did I do when LJ was out? Why, developed a sinus infection and broke a mercury thermometer. I think the lesson learned here is that LJ SHOULD NOT GO DOWN EVER AGAIN, BECAUSE THEN BECCA'S LIFE GOES RAPIDLY DOWNHILL.

So, yes. Hey, health center, gonna see you on Monday and get some drugs. And possibly have you look me over for mercury poisoning, although I feel okay, and aside from the abnormal number of typos in this post (which I think is caused more by the fact that for some reason I am up at 7 AM after going to bed at 2), I don't think I've suffered any ill effects. But, yes...spent the night with my window open to get some ventilation after breaking the thing at midnight. All the mercury went into my carpet, and me, thinking "oh, I'm not supposed to touch it...don't remember anything about breathing it...let's vaccuum up the glass!" Which is, of course, exactly what you're not supposed to do, because breathing it is the most dangerous thing about elemental mercury. *headdesk* This is why you go to the internet first before attempting cleanup of dangerous substances, children.

So as soon as they open, I have to go down to the porter and explain myself...this will be fun. Not.

*groan*

Can I start this weekend over, please?

Comments

[wildtiger7.livejournal.com]

With the mercury you're probably fine, it's only really bad in a gas form and I don't think even vacuuming would put much in the air. We work with mercury bulbs in lab, which we have special protocols to work with (ie, leave'em on for a at least 15 minutes, if they've just been turned off don't turn them on again for another 30 minutes) and if they break, leave the room, shut the door, wait a little bit until the mercury falls out of the air, and it's safe. I doubt there's anything for you to worry about.

[icepixie]

Psst...what's a mercury bulb? [/science-impaired] ;)

That does make me feel better. The places where I was reading "vaccuuming is bad/you must get rid of all carpets exposed" were mainly the EPA/OSHA type sites, while others more along the lines of "how to clean up a mercury spill, from your friends at scienceathome.com" or whatever, seemed to think it didn't matter so much. I'm guessing that since I got most of what little there was up anyway, I'll be okay. :)

[wildtiger7.livejournal.com]

Mercury bulb is a light bulb that uses mercury gas to give off UV light. We need UV light to see DNA and activate glowing proteins.

[icepixie]

Ah, got it. I think all flourescent lights contain it too, don't they?