NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

And you get more than enough Mercury from your flu shot!don't need to add extra.

janik Loc: Rochester, NY

Well I wasn't going to bother with a reply to this drivel because you're obviously a sad old troll that spends his days cruising various boards looking for folks to take a crap on rather than actually taking photos. I will attempt to give you the whole scene so you can fondle yourself while thinking up some more snappy retorts. The light stands are new state of the art with sand bags. The shoot was over, the model was leaving, she had her bag over her shoulder and turned swinging the bag into the stand. So my fault? Ok if that makes you feel better.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

So s### happens, It seems like I wasted my time responding to a cry baby post.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Sorry, but I'm having trouble envisioning an asshat. Is that like having your head up your butt?

Toment Loc: FL, IL

I'd ask the EPA 😂

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

It sounds like a joke, but it's true!

I used to sell homes and asbestos was sometimes a concern, especially in homes built prior to 1972. It was common in "popcorn" ceilings, among other things.

I couldn't outright tell them, but found ways to suggest as strongly as possible that buyers NOT do a test for asbestos. If they were concerned, I recommended they have the popcorn ceiling (or whatever) removed and replaced without any actual tests. Inspectors could advise them what might contain asbestos, without actual tests being done. Once tested, if asbestos were found to be present, the cost of removal doubled or tripled.

I had this exact thing happen to a young couple who didn't listen to my "hints". Instead of simply putting down some drop cloths, wetting an unpainted popcorn ceiling with a spray bottle and using a scraper to remove the texture and sending it off to the dump, then applying new texture, their house had to be completely sealed up, workers had to wear environmental suits and respirators, and the waste had to be dealt with as a toxic, double sealed in plastic bags and hauled away to a special disposal site. It took weeks instead of days and ended up costing over $6000 instead of around $2000.

By the way, there actually is a hill about half a mile from that house that has a high concentration of naturally occurring asbestos (it's a natural element, after all). There's probably more asbestos in the air they breathe on the way to work, driving past that hill, than there was in that ceiling!

And, one of the approved "treatments" for asbestos in popcorn ceilings is called "encapsulation". That's just a fancy way of saying "paint it and leave it be".

Also, once tested and found to contain asbestos, sellers would be required to disclose it when the time came to sell the home. That might effect selling price.

AFAIK, people don't freak out as much about fluorescent bulbs and mercury... but I wouldn't take a chance! Probably the best thing to do is just clean it up yourself... I'd recommend using a wet mop or rag to prevent kicking up dust that you might breath.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

How do you measure for an asshat? Is by volume or circumference?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

CLEAN-UP?!?!
I wouldn't bother to clean any of it up.
By the time that model is done suing you, it will be HER house!!
So just leave it and let HER clean it up!!!
SS

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Why would you possibly hope that someone would be hurt in what was obviously an accident?

Cttoxdoc

As one who doesn't often comment on UHH but, one who has also spent a career in research and education regarding the potentially toxic/adverse effects of chemicals, I feel compelled to comment in response to your honest and appropriate question.
Despite the poor attempts at humor found in some of the responses, a mercury spill, of any size, is not a joking matter. The type of spill you describe should present NO long term risk to anyone if properly treated and presuming that it does not happen frequently in the same space without cleanup. Proper treatment doesn't require a visit from a government agency as someone foolishly/jokingly suggested. Likewise because someone handled mercury years ago and is still alive to write a cavalier response to your query does not mean the spill you described represents no risk. The mercury in fluorescent lights can be dangerous since it can vaporize and be inhaled. The same is true of the pure liquid mercury some played with a few generations ago. As with any chemical exposure, the health outcomes depend on the amount of the poison and the duration of the exposure (How Much and How Long). Low levels inhaled over a long period can cause serious mental disorders and a Parkinson's Disease - like syndrome. This is not an issue with a couple of broken tubes with proper cleanup. Yet mercury evaporation can be a slow process, especially if "trapped" in a closed space and, depending on conditions, a low exposure over a long time could have subtle consequences. Remember the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland? Mercury was used in making hats years ago and his behavior mimicked a form of mercury poisoning. However, per the EPA and others, the amount in one or a few fluorescent tubes does not constitute a significant risk if cleaned up and disposed of quickly and the room is well ventilated. Vacuuming, as mentioned in one of the responses, is not advised without a specialized vacuum because it could spread mercury well beyond the immediate spill zone.

Your local Poison Information Center (800) 222-1222 is staffed by specialists in matters like this and can provide sound advice. Also, check this EPA site for simple instructions.

www.epa.gov/cfl/what-do-if-compact-fluorescent-light-cfl-bulb-or-fluorescent-tube-light-bulb-breaks-printable.

whitewolfowner

Never have been dumb enough to get one and never will. Haven't you ever noticed that those that get the flu shots, get the flu and those that don't get the shots, don't get it. Amazing, isn't it.

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

My dad worked at Kodak, coating paper. He once wore a bandaid with mecurachrome on it. He was immediately sent to medical to have it safely remove and disposed of properly. He was told that if even the small amount of mercury in the bandage could ruin tens of thousands of feet of paper before the machine was shut down
But in a digital studio, I would not worry.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

wwo, I once, by accident, got two flu shots and it gave me a vicious diarrhea...., can you possibly explain that?!?!
SS

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I am sure that there are some who would claim that you were just a bit more full of it at the time then usual!

whitewolfowner

Very true, I worked in the coating department where they coated the plastic to make film. The paper was done upstairs from us. Few people knew this but if someone had a fire up wind from Ridge Rd and Lake Ave and threw some mercury in it, they would have shut the yellow father down for three months or more. Can't say it didn't cross my mind when they wrongfully fired me for being allergic to one of their chemicals and it kept giving me nose bleeds. They should have transferred me out of the department instead.