Safety

Discarded devices leak mercury, shut down clinic

OSHA Healthcare Connection, March 25, 2008

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Even seemingly harmless, deactivated mercury-containing devices can cause damage resulting in the evaluation and closing down of a healthcare facility.

That is what the Tribal Health Center at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in Nevada discovered when supplies fell onto a box containing old blood pressure cuffs awaiting disposal and released mercury into the clinic, reports the Reno Gazette Journal, March 18.

After evacuation most of the clinic areas were free of mercury except for the supply room "hot spot" where the spill occurred, according to the report. Mercury absorbed into carpeting, tiles, and boxes will force the clinic to close it doors until the hazard is removed.



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