Small mercury spills may be cleaned up by using a mercury spill kit. The kit should include a sponge with a layer of granulated zinc on one side. The zinc will fuse with the mercury as you clean.

1. Don the appropriate PPE.
2. Gather all the droplets using a suction tube or piece of paper.
3. If necessary, use the suction tube or a syringe to get up as much mercury as possible.
4. Store the spilled mercury in a labeled container.
5. Put the sponge on the spilled mercury and/or the contaminated area, zinc side down.
6. Move the sponge in clockwise circles from the outside working in toward the center.
7. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for re-use and/or disposal of the zinc sponge.

For large mercury spills during business hours, contact OH&S at 934-2487 immediately.

If a large spill occurs during non-business hours, please page the Director-On-Call at 934-3411 OR
Go to www.paging.uab.edu and enter 8744. Click the pager number and enter your message. Click Send when finished.