Sunday this year, one of my podmates went out early to harvest bits of melted neon and metal from the remains of the Man, and then gave us all the chance to pick out a piece as a keepsake. Given this was my first year, I was really excited to have such a cool momento, but it has since come to my attention that neon contains mercury. Anyone happen to know how concerned I should be about handling my bit of neon? (I'd had thoughts of turning it into jewelry, but thinking that's not such a good idea now...)
Thanks!
Neon bits from the Man safe?
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maggsters06
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Re: Neon bits from the Man safe?
I'd suspect that the tiny bit of mercury in the neon was well and fully in vapor with the tube lit up, and then with the heat and rising air of the fire that vapour would be both diluted and carried up and away. The glass & wire bits were then baked overnight. I can't see how any of the mercury could possibly stick around.
If the tube was broken in an enclosed room or cold and broken onto a rug, there can be issues.
If the tube was broken in an enclosed room or cold and broken onto a rug, there can be issues.
4.669
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That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
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Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
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, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
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That's one word I regret googling during breakfast.
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Video games are giving kids unrealistic expectations on how many swords they can carry.
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, but don't harm the red dragon that frequents the area from time to time. He and I have an agreement.
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BBadger
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Re: Neon bits from the Man safe?
While handling mercury isn't necessarily good, breathing it is the real problem. The main hazard with mercury in broken lamps is immediately after the breakage, as the mercury is vaporized and/or floating in the air as small particles. However, as mercury is pretty heavy, after some time the mercury falls to the ground and you can clean the mess up with a vacuum cleaner.
In this case, as Canoe mentioned, there's probably no mercury left on that glass to speak of, and the amount of mercury in those lamps is very small anyway. What did exist was already vaporized and incinerated by the pyroclasm and there's probably only trace amounts left, if that. What you're picking up as a souvenir is just melted glass, not even something like lead crystal where you would want to wash your hands after handling it. If you're still worried, just wipe the surface of the glass down and you should be fine.
In this case, as Canoe mentioned, there's probably no mercury left on that glass to speak of, and the amount of mercury in those lamps is very small anyway. What did exist was already vaporized and incinerated by the pyroclasm and there's probably only trace amounts left, if that. What you're picking up as a souvenir is just melted glass, not even something like lead crystal where you would want to wash your hands after handling it. If you're still worried, just wipe the surface of the glass down and you should be fine.
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Elderberry
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Re: Neon bits from the Man safe?
Just don't eat it.
Elderberry
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.
Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.
Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me
Re: Neon bits from the Man safe?
Stop making out with it, and you should be fine.
*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
Re: Neon bits from the Man safe?
LOL. It's o.k. to love your souvenirs.... just don't L O V E your souvenirs.Savannah wrote:Stop making out with it, and you should be fine.
”On second thought, Let’s not go to Camelot. It’s a silly place.”
Roll on through, Tumbleweed.
Roll on through, Tumbleweed.