Is the red liquid in a thermometer toxic?

Although mercury is considered a highly toxic substance, the overall risk of toxicity from a broken mercury-containing thermometer is low when appropriate clean-up measures are taken. The EPA recommends the following clean-up steps for broken mercury thermometers in your home.

Why is the mercury in a thermometer red?

Silver liquid indicates that the thermometer contains mercury, while red liquid is alcohol to which red coloring has been added. Although uncommon in modern thermometers, a clear color indicates water.

Does my thermometer have mercury?

Is There Mercury in My Thermometer? If there is no liquid in your thermometer, for example, if it uses a metallic strip or coil to measure temperature (like most meat thermometers do), it is not a mercury thermometer. … If the liquid in your thermometer bulb is silver, then the liquid might be: Mercury.

What happens if you touch mercury?

Mercury is a very toxic or poisonous substance that people can be exposed to in several ways. If it is swallowed, like from a broken thermometer, it mostly passes through your body and very little is absorbed. If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you.

What kind of mercury is in a thermometer?

Thermometers with a silver line contain elemental mercury. Thermometers with a red or blue liquid do NOT contain mercury. There is much misinformation about mercury, its various forms and its dangers. Three different types of mercury exist, varying in their levels of toxicity.

How much mercury is in a thermometer?

A typical mercury thermometer contains approximately 0.7 grams of mercury (700 milligrams), but larger thermometers can contain as much as three grams. Both short term and long term exposure to mercury can cause serious health problems for humans and wildlife.

Is thermometer mercury poisonous?

The small silvery ball in a mercury thermometer can be dangerous if the glass breaks and the mercury is not cleaned up properly. The mercury will evaporate and can contaminate the surrounding air and become toxic to humans and wildlife.

How do you clean mercury from a thermometer?

Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Alternatively, use two pieces of cardboard paper to roll the mercury beads onto the paper towel or into the bag. Place the paper towel in a zip locking bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.

What is the red liquid in a thermometer?

alcohol
Mercury is a silver-white to gray substance. If your thermometer is filled with a red liquid, your thermometer contains red dyed alcohol or mineral spirits and not mercury.

Which thermometer does not contain mercury?

Explanation: Digital thermometer – These thermometers do not use mercury and they have dedicated electronic circuits to measure temperature.

What is the red line in a thermometer called?

So, alcohol, which freezes at temperature below the point where water freezes, was used. The red colored or silver line in the middle of the thermometer moves up and down depending on the temperature. The thermometer measures temperatures in Fahrenheit, Celsius and another scale called Kelvin.

What is the difference between mercury and alcohol thermometer?

Alcohol thermometer and mercury thermometer are two types of thermometers which are composed of a bulb and a marked glass tube. The main difference between alcohol and mercury thermometer is that the bulb of mercury thermometer is filled with mercury whereas the bulb of alcohol thermometer is filled with an alcohol.

Do pool thermometers contain mercury?

Pool thermometers are available at pool supply and hardware stores. … Thermometers are available in various styles and types. Most are made of glass or plastic and contain a liquid—vegetable oil, mercury or another liquid—that indicates the temperature reading.

Do fridge thermometers contain mercury?

Most of today’s refrigerator thermometers do not contain mercury. And if you can purchase a mercury-free thermometer, then you are doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint and save the planet. Also, if you happen to break a thermometer that contains mercury, it could be hazardous.

Are mercury thermometers accurate?

Scale Divisions and Accuracy Limits For thermometers that have a high range of 260° C, accuracy below 100° C is ± 1°-2° C for both mercury and non-mercury thermometers. Above 100° C mercury thermometers have an accuracy range of ± 1.5° C, while non-mercury have an accuracy limit of ± 3° C.

Why only mercury and alcohol are used in thermometer?

There is a technical reason for using mercury in clinical thermometers. Mercury has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than alcohol. This means a column of mercury will expand and rise more than a column of alcohol for the same temperature change.

Why is a mercury thermometer more accurate?

Digital thermometers provide faster results

Mercury thermometers are designed utilizing the idea that mercury expands with heat. … Mercury is used because it remains liquid throughout various temperatures as opposed to water, which freezes in colder temperatures.

How long do you keep a mercury thermometer under your tongue?

Insert the thermometer’s probe under your tongue and close your lips over it tightly to hold it in place. Leave it in your mouth for three minutes or until it beeps. In the armpit (also called the axillary method).