I think I was just exposed to mercury

[WombRaider]

While changing a fluorescent bulb, it suddenly exploded. Luckily the light cover was already on when it exploded. I carefully unscrewed the light bulb without touching the glass.

Now my index finger feels a little bit numb. Maybe it was caused to touching a hot light bulb earlier. I'm not exactly sure. I'm also a little bit paranoid about mercury poisening too.

 

[PottedMeat]

Quick! Call HAZMAT to clean that up! Make sure you get the city to take the bill.



Just open a window and clean up the glass.

 

[Tobolo]

How old was this light bulb? When in hades was the last time mercury was in a standard light bulb?

EDIT: Apparently there still is a minute amount in compact flour. bulbs. I would imagine that you would have to practically eat the bulb to even worry about anything.

 

[NanoStuff]

Surely, you must be kidding. Mercury poisoning over one fluorescent light? You didn't eat the light, did you?

Ok fellas, nothing to see here, we got ourselves a joker.

 

[WombRaider]

Originally posted by: Tobolo
How old was this light bulb? When in hades was the last time mercury was in a standard light bulb?

It wasn't an old light bulb. I was putting in a fluorescent bulb which contains mercury.

 

[nater]

people used to play with that stuff. You'll be fine

 

[biggestmuff]

Good grief. Overly-dramatic much?

 

[WombRaider]

I figured it was nothing big. I'm sure the packaging would have warning labels plastered all over it if it was highly dangerous.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: WombRaider

Originally posted by: Tobolo
How old was this light bulb? When in hades was the last time mercury was in a standard light bulb?

It wasn't an old light bulb. I was putting in a fluorescent bulb which contains mercury.

There isn't enough in there to really injure you unless you like ate it or something. It is only something like 20mg. What happens when you throw it in a dumpster and it shatters- sorry but everyone around there isn't screwed- Don't worry about it- its not like an old thermometer or anything.

-Kevin

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: WombRaider

Originally posted by: Tobolo
How old was this light bulb? When in hades was the last time mercury was in a standard light bulb?

It wasn't an old light bulb. I was putting in a fluorescent bulb which contains mercury.

I really don't think a fluorescent bulb contains mercury man. What happens when you throw it in a dumpster and it shatters- sorry but everyone around there isn't screwed.

You must be thinking of something else.

-Kevin

Fluorescent bulbs do contain mercury. Those compact fluorescents you buy to save the environment? Yep, mercury.

 

[blurredvision]

You guys are assholes. So the OP doesn't know much about light bulbs. Is that any reason to reply in a hateful manner and imply that he's stupid? :roll: Next time, try to hold an actual conversation where you instruct him as to why he will be fine so he'll learn something.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Don't worry OP.

I have a friend who works at Dupont. He lets me hold a ball full of Mercury in my hands when I visit. No harm as long as you don't hold it for more than a minute or so as that is the time it takes to absorb.

 

[NanoStuff]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Don't worry OP.

I have a friend who works at Dupont. He lets me hold a ball full of Mercury in my hands when I visit. No harm as long as you don't hold it for more than a minute or so as that is the time it takes to absorb.

That's not the same thing as mercury vapor. Liquid mercury is mostly harmless even if swallowed.

 

[WombRaider]

Thanks, I feel a lot better now.

 

[trOver]

My friend had a mercury vapor light that fell and exploded, got in his eye and he said it stung like hell. He washed it out, and has been fine ever since. (6 months)

 

[dighn]

It's the vapour that you should be worried about. Air out the room.

 

[Captante]

Even the tiny amount of mercury vapor resulting from the bulb breaking isn't enough to do you any serious harm, however its not good for you in any amount so do air out the room & do a good job cleaning up the mess.

 

[bonkers325]

prepare a will.

 

[LS20]

i broke a thermometer by accident and played with the extracted merc liquid ... fascinating stuff wen youre a kid

 

[nageov3t]

even if you did eat it, you'd probably be fine.

most of our parents and their parents probably played with mercury from thermometers as a kid and they all seem relatively OK hell, the first emperor used to eat it by the fistfull and it took him awhile to die of mercury poisoning

 

[UNCjigga]

Dude, I used to eat oldskool thermometers back in the day. Don't worry you'll be fine!

 

[Greyd]

ITS A TUMAH!!!!

 

[911paramedic]

If the smoke detector ever signals its battery is low... stay away.

 

[Kadarin]

I had tuna salad for dinner yesterday... I probably have more mercury in my system now than you do...

 

[0roo0roo]

its in the powder, its not going to just go through your skin
its concentration is very low, just clean up with cleaning agents and paper towels
next time grasp the base or hold it with a rag or something. i've never had one blow up on me, don't screw them in so hard.