Mercury poisoning?!?

My friend's dad dropped a 15-year-old Walgreen's thermometer, and it split and broke. He was trying to clean it up, but then (I'm not sure how it happened) and obviously must have come in contact with it. He's now got a temperature, and is shivering (so she says). How should they despose of the mercury, and could any real harm come to her father? Please and thank you, this is kind of an urgent matter.

Ok, good news (two bits)

1) Although mercury does indeed make some toxic compounds within the body, it is *NOT* as instantly dangerous in reality as most folks think. When we were at school we would (stupidly) throw mercury at each other in the physics lab - and not one of us expired all the time I was at the school.

2) The chances are that a thermometer this new (yup 15 year old is new) will NOT contain any mercury at all anyway. If the "line" was red, blue - or in fact ANY other colour than silver, it was NOT a mercury thermometer, just a alcohol based one. Harmless so long as you don't cut yourself on the broken glass.

In the extrordinarly unlikely situation that he REALLY has silvery pools of mercury on the floor, he ought really to get out of the house, opening windows etc as he goes. Then contact local council (not sure what they are in the States if this is where you are - sort of "local government") and they should be able to tgive guidance on who to contact for correct disposal.

The chances of a one off exposure to a tiny amount of mercury like this (if it WAS mercury - most unlikely) causing any real problems is, I think incredibly remote in a person with even average health.

LOL - there have been cases of people ingesting (swallowing) mercury and again - although most unwise - the mercury usually passes through the body without incident. It is NOT easily absorbed. Your friend's dad perhaps has a cold, he does NOT have mercury poisoning.

I just know that it is bad...I don't know what it can do....I would suggest calling the poison control center....they would know what to tell you....good luck..

take him to a doctor if its urgent

If I were her I would call a doctor immediately. As for the mercury, when it spills get rubber gloves on take paper towels and clean it up. Then take a cleaner solution and clean the area. If it was dropped in the kitchen, I would suggest mopping the floor after the spill. If It was dropped outside clean it off with water.

http://www.calpoison.org/public/mercury....
As ever, if you're worried, go to A&E

You can be poison, by just inhaling it or by accidentally swallowing a small percent of mercury. They need to call poison center right away, it can damage the cells of the body and or the liver probably if it is really so serious. Don't wait for another minute.