A laboratory should periodically perform an inventory for all sources of mercury. It is possible to eliminate or significantly reduce the amount of mercury and consequently the risk of a spill or toxic exposure.
Liquid mercury can be found in:
(1) barometer
(2) sphyngomanometer
(3) thermometer
(4) within instruments
Fixatives:
(1) anatomic pathology (B5)
(2) parasitology
Other sources:
(1) stores of reagent chemicals
(2) specimens submitted for analysis
If mercury is present in the laboratory, then the inventory should also include the location and adequacy of chemical spill kits to handle the type and amount of mercury present.
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