Patient's question:
A 16-month-old baby broke a thermometer, and mercury fell on the floor. I collected it with a cardboard box. Will it be toxic? The baby just caught a cold in winter, and it's not suitable to ventilate the house, fearing that mercury will harm the baby.Doctor's answer:
According to your description, the thermometer broke. It is highly unlikely that poisoning could occur through the inhalation of a small amount of mercury dissolved in water. Therefore, prompt handling is sufficient. It is recommended to open a window for ventilation, and during the ventilation process, the child should go to another room. If most of the mercury spilled on the floor has already been collected and disposed of, there will be absolutely no harm. You don't need to worry, as the remaining small amount of mercury will not cause any significant harm.