Thermometer and tensiometer with mercury

Why mercury thermometers?

Mercury, because of its remarkable physical properties (liquid state, raised density, weak vapor tension) was very largely used in the thermometers.

Dangers of the mercury thermometers

A traditional domestic thermometer used to measure the fever contains from 0,5 to 2 grams of mercury.

We will be delayed here on the French situation but the problems arising from the mercury thermometers are probably the same ones everywhere. A decree of the 12/24/1998 prohibited with the sale the clinical thermometers with mercury intended to measure the internal temperature of the man . And a ministerial circular prohibited the use of mercury thermometers in the hospitals since September 1999.

On this date, there was probably more than 15 million mercury thermometers at the private individuals! It will be necessary several years so that this park is gradually replaced by electronic thermometers or with infra-red.

However, with regard to the hospital thermometers, the situation is radically different: it is considered that the average lifespan of a thermometer does not exceed two months there! (under these conditions, it is necessary to count at least 6 thermometers by bed and per annum!)

With final, one consumed in France nearly 5 million mercury thermometers per annum. 9 accidents out of 10 took place in the hospitals.

Substitution of the mercury thermometers

The electronic thermometers presenting certain disadvantages, the standard model of mercury thermometer could be preserved. Mercury was simply replaced by Gallium. Remain to put the question of the toxicity of gallium.

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