NM Tech Mercury Spill Response
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
A mercury-based sphygmomanometer was used in the New Mexico Tech Medical clinic because a patient had consistently high blood pressure measurements when a mercury-free sphygmomanometer was used. The mercury-based unit was chosen to verify the mercury-free measurements. When the nurse began pumping up the cuff, mercury leaked from the bottom of the machine. Prior to that use, the sphygmomanometer functioned correctly, and inspection showed no visible cracks. Knowing that mercury (Hg) was hazardous to patients, that it vaporized at room temperature, and that the clinic had no windows, the nurse moved the sphygmomanometer from the clinic to a nearby biohazard room. In addition, the nurse taped the door gaps on the outside of the biohazard room to limit exposure. The biohazard room was vented to the outside, but that fact was not commonly known by the incident response team. The floor between the clinic and biohazard room was carpeted, resulting in Hg contamination of the carpet as well as the clinic and the biohazard room.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
- OSTI ID:
- 1493822
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--2019-0862; 672044
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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