Kansas City, MO 9/2/2001

The Kansas City Star

THERE'S MERCURY IN THOSE NECKLACES
Fashion trend for schools can pose a health problem

By Edward M. Eveld
Monday, September 2, 2001

A trendy fashion accessory that might show up in schools this fall is actually a health risk.

Health officials locally and nationally are warning school administrators and parents about fragile glass pendants suspended from chains, cords or leather strands. The pendants often are in the shape of hearts, chili peppers, bottles and saber teeth.

The worry is what's inside the pendants: liquid mercury. The pendants also may contain a brightly colored solution; the silvery mercury doesn't mix in, adding to the effect.

"It's quicksilver under glass," said Randy Maley, environmental specialist for the Missouri Department of Health. "It looks pretty."

But if the pendant breaks, the small mercury spill can cause health problems, Maley said. Mercury vaporizes quickly at room temperature and, if inhaled, can enter the bloodstream and cause headache, cough, chest pain, respiratory difficulty and other symptoms.

"It's like breaking a couple of thermometers," Maley said. "It's not a good thing, particularly in a small classroom."

Or in a bedroom or a car.

The necklaces, made in Mexico, have been popular on the West Coast and in the Southwest, Maley said. The health department has had one report of a pendant breaking in a St. Joseph school but no similar reports yet from Kansas City area schools. Some necklaces of this type were seen at county fairs.

In case of a spill at home, use heavy sheets of paper or a playing card to gather the mercury droplets, or use an eyedropper. Small amounts can be placed in a plastic food storage bag, which should then be placed inside a container such as a coffee can and thrown away. Schools should use a mercury cleanup kit from a safety supplier.

To reach Edward M. Eveld, features reporter, call (816) 234-4442 or send e-mail to eeveld@kcstar.com.

Handling a small mercury spill

Don't use a vacuum cleaner, which could spread mercury vapors. A broom or cloth will scatter mercury droplets.
Don't use household cleaning products. They may react with the mercury and release toxic gases.
Avoid skin contact.
Remove rings and other jewelry that might bind with the mercury.
Ventilate the room by opening windows and doors to the outside, but close doors leading to other rooms.
For more information call the Missouri Department of Health, (800) 293-7245; the Missouri environmental emergency line, (573) 634-2436; or the Kansas spill response program, (785) 296-1679.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a mercury information Web site at www.epa.gov/mercury/index.html.

All content © 2001 The Kansas City Star