Peru’s Ministry of Health, known as Minsa, has warned the public about the dangers of mercury exposure from common household items, including glass thermometers, energy-saving bulbs, fluorescent tubes and certain cosmetics sold without health registration.
The ministry said that improper handling of these products can release mercury into the environment. It noted that children and pregnant women are most at risk, though any person exposed could develop nervous system problems. Symptoms linked to mercury exposure include hand tremors, memory problems, insomnia, learning difficulties and mood changes, including depression.
What to do if a thermometer or bulb breaks
If a mercury thermometer, energy-saving bulb or fluorescent tube breaks at home, Minsa advised staying calm and avoiding direct contact with the metal. The ministry warned against sweeping up mercury or using a vacuum cleaner, as both actions can spread contamination.
The recommended first step is to ventilate the space by opening doors and windows. Wearing gloves and a mask, the fragments should be collected using a dropper, syringe, piece of rigid cardboard or adhesive tape. All recovered material should be placed in a sealed glass jar and taken to a hazardous waste collection point. Minsa stressed that mercury must never be disposed of in the rubbish, down a drain or directly on the ground.
Cosmetics, batteries and lighting
The health authority also urged households to keep mercury thermometers, batteries, energy-saving bulbs and fluorescent tubes out of the reach of children and pets. It recommended switching to digital thermometers and LED bulbs as safer alternatives.
On cosmetics, Minsa asked consumers to take particular care with low-cost or little-known skin creams, verifying that products carry health registration before use. Mercury in cosmetics can cause skin irritation and, in more serious cases, affect kidney function and the neurological system, the ministry said.
