Mercury Is Hazardous to Humans and Pets By Patricia Collier Remember the old style thermometers that had actual mercury inside? Occasionally, the thermometer would break and a tiny ball of metal would slither across the floor like a worm. You or your mom usually picked it up and threw it away, right? At least one 17-year-old boy is currently wishing he'd done the same. Michael Coleman and his dog have been playing with the stuff for months and now both are suffering from mercury poisoning. And their house has been sealed off by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for decontamination. Supposedly, the boy decided the mercury would make a cool toy after finding it in his uncle's belongings. The uncle used to work in a mine. Michael's aunt, Lynn Boross, said she thought the metal was silver paint. So now, the federal government has the property sealed off and won't allow anyone back on the grounds until they deem the place safe. "Outside we did see visible mercury in the cracks on the sidewalk around the pool and its silver liquid all in droplets all around. It looks like tinsel, shiny and strange looking," said Harry Allen with the EPA. Michael developed a rash and has missed about two months of school. He's currently in the hospital, in intensive care. His dog, Snowball, is also ill from the exposure to the metal. "Snowball actually has mercury in her fur so our goal right now is to remove all of her fur," said Jake Moersen with the EPA. Officials said mercury is a liquid that turns to a vapor when exposed to room temperature. The vapor is invisible and can be extremely dangerous. In liquid form, mercury is a cumulative poison, and overexposure to it can occur by absorption through the skin, respiratory tract, or digestive tract. When liquid mercury is spilled, it forms droplets that can accumulate in the tiniest of spaces and vapors will follow. It is a very serious hazard to both people and pets and EPA workers said if you find any in your home, health department officials or the fire department should be called immediately. Sign up here for our FREE newsletter FloridaPets.net NewsPetter™ Join the FloridaPets.net mailing list Email: FloridaPets.net NewsPetter™ Archives

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