From: Wisbl (isabella32@earthlink.net)
Date: 11/16/00-11:13:10 AM Z
Actually, a couple of kids broke into an old neon factory. They found
quite a bit of mercury and passed it around to schoolmates, a number of
whom tried to smoke it (no, I'm not making this up). Unimaginably, the
ones who smoked it became ill. When I was a boy, we just got nauseous
from eating all of mom's nutmeg.
William
John Yeo wrote:
>
> A couple of years ago, I read an article about some kids who found several
> large containers of mercury in a shed. They passed it around school, and
> everybody played with it, some even put it in their mouths. A while later,
> many kids started coming down with nervous system problems. They couldn't
> figure out why the hell it was happening, until they tested for toxins in
> the homes. They found massive ammounts of mercury in the carpets and
> everywhere else. I don't think the article gave any more info, it was just
> a one or two paragraph blurb in either time or newsweek. I think it was
> around 5 yrs ago.
>
> My two bits,
> John
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert W. Schramm" <schrammrus@hotmail.com>
> To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
> Sent: Friday, November 17, 2000 6:48 PM
> Subject: Re: Mercury WARNINGS
>
> > Bob,
> >
> > I know you mean well but anyone reading your post who does not already
> know
> > all the stuff you wrote has no business messing with mercury
> > until they learn all that and more from a competent instructor. It is
> > a sufficient warning to say that it is toxic.
> >
> > I think most of the people on this list are intelligent and know about
> > the dangers of the chemistry they use. They are smart because they
> > could not do alternative process photography otherwise.
> >
> > Every so often on this list someone gives us a lecture on some
> > highly toxic substence. I appreciate the fact that they are concerned
> about
> > us and again I know they mean well, but really, we already
> > know about this stuff.
> >
> > Thanks for your concern,
> >
> > Bob Schramm
> >
> >
> > >From: bmaxey1@juno.com
> > >Reply-To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
> > >To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
> > >Subject: Re: Mercury WARNINGS
> > >Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2000 17:34:59 -0700
> > >
> > > >>How do those of you using mercury protect yourselves against mercury
> > >poisoning?
> > >
> > >First of all, wear protective gloves when handling it. I wore a
> > >respirator when I was using the stuff. I found mercury intensifier to be
> > >a favorite of mine, so I used compounds containing the element. Heating
> > >mercury is a bad idea as well. Fumes are particularly dangerous. I also
> > >used Cyanides for plating, but no longer. I refuse to expose myself to
> > >potential problems, and as sure as I am writing this message, I know for
> > >a fact that no matter how careful I might be, there is always a chance
> > >for problems.
> > >
> > >Remember that if you are using the pure metal and you should drop some,
> > >it will split apart into thousands of little metal beads, and go all over
> > >the place, thus creating contamination that you most likely will NEVER be
> > >able to clean up, leaving mercury in places you do not want it. The small
> > >balls will lodge everywhere and you can never be sure if you cleaned it
> > >all up or not.
> > >
> > >Think about this when deciding to use mercury. Consider that if you drop
> > >a spoonful on your floor, that area is contaminated probably permanently.
> > >Think about your work area - do you really want to have to declare an
> > >area of your home off limits for the end of time; baring the fact that
> > >for thousands of dollars you could have the local Haz-Mat team remove the
> > >material.
> > >
> > >Over cautious? You bet I am. Should you never experiment with mercury?
> > >No, just be aware of all potential problems. Before we knew of the
> > >dangers, hat manufacturers went insane from mercury poisioning. Mad as a
> > >Hatter is a phrase that came from this.
> > >
> > >Remember that mercury will absorb into your system and can cause serious
> > >health issues. ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS even if you wear gloves when
> > >handling the material. Only purchase what you need and do not stockpile
> > >it. Lock it up and DO NOT allow children to get near it or use it.
> > >
> > >Make sure you dispose of it properly, and NEVER in the trash. This goes
> > >for containers that mixed it, the packaging the manufacturer packed it in
> > >and any materials that came into contact with it. Remember that if you
> > >are using mercury to create products you sell, you are most likely
> > >required to obtain permits for disposal of contaminated materials. Check
> > >the laws in your area. Mercury is a serious concern these days and
> > >rightly so.
> > >
> > >God help you if you take it internally by mistake. I am not sure what the
> > >medical solution is, but it will decompose when in your system thereby
> > >creating health problems you do not want.
> > >
> > >Go to any of the Web Sites that allow you to download Material Safety
> > >Data Sheets (MSDS). They will give you plenty of information about
> > >specific problems with the material. They will talk about PPE (Personal
> > >Protective Equipment), dealing with poisoning, Safe, handling
> > >precautions, etc.
> > >
> > >Finally, if at all possible, do not use mercury. That is the best way to
> > >protect yourself. I can understand why people want to create Dags with
> > >it. However, is this pursuit really worth the potential problems? That's
> > >for you to decide.
> > >
> > >Bob
> > >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________________
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> >
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