What should I do if the thermometer breaks? Popular topics and response guides on the Internet in the past 10 days
Recently, the topic of "How to deal with a broken thermometer" has been gaining popularity on social media and Q&A platforms. Especially with the high incidence of influenza in winter, the frequency of mercury thermometers being used in households has increased, and related accidents have also triggered widespread discussions. The following is compiled based on the hot spots on the entire network in the past 10 days.Structured data and solutions:
1. Popularity analysis of the entire network (last 10 days)
| platform | Amount of related topics | core concerns |
|---|---|---|
| 12,000+ | Mercury volatilization toxicity, cases of accidental exposure by children | |
| Zhihu | 680+ questions and answers | Scientific cleaning steps and replacement recommendations |
| Tik Tok | 5 million+ views | Emergency response demonstration video |
| little red book | 2300+ notes | Comparison of household electronic thermometers |
2. Emergency steps after a broken mercury thermometer
| step | Operation details | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Evacuation of people | Get children, pregnant women and pets away from the scene immediately | Avoid breathing mercury vapor |
| 2. Ventilation treatment | Keep windows open for at least 24 hours and turn off the air conditioning system | Reduce mercury concentration in the air |
| 3. Collect mercury beads | Use cardboard/syringe to slowly push it together and put it into a sealed bottle | Do not use a vacuum cleaner or broom |
| 4. Deep cleaning | Sprinkle sulfur powder or apply egg white to absorb residue | Wear rubber gloves |
| 5.Waste disposal | Contact the local environmental protection department for recycling | It is prohibited to throw away randomly |
3. Comparison of popular alternatives (based on e-commerce platform sales data)
| type | average price | Accuracy | Applicable people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic forehead thermometer | 80-150 yuan | ±0.3℃ | Infants and young children, group screening |
| ear thermometer | 200-400 yuan | ±0.1℃ | Daily use at home |
| Smart armpit patch | 50-100 yuan | ±0.2℃ | Continuous monitoring at night |
4. Expert advice and hot topics of discussion online
1.toxicity controversy: The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds that the mercury content of a single thermometer (about 1 gram) will not cause acute poisoning with adequate ventilation, but long-term low-dose exposure may affect the nervous system.
2.Dealing with misunderstandings: A popular Douyin video has proven that covering mercury with flour will make it more difficult to clean. The correct method is to use a moist cotton swab to absorb tiny mercury beads.
3.policy trends: According to the State Food and Drug Administration’s plan to completely phase out mercury thermometers in 2026, netizens are hotly discussing the calibration specifications and after-sales guarantee issues of electronic temperature measurement equipment.
5. Long-term preventive measures
• Store the thermometer in a drop-proof case out of reach of children
• Regularly check the integrity of the thermometer and stop using it immediately if cracks are found
• Learn how to calibrate an electronic thermometer (Xiaohongshu’s most popular tutorial demonstrates calibration with a mixture of ice and water)
Through the above structured information, we can not only quickly respond to emergencies, but also reduce safety hazards from the source. If a mercury leak has occurred and you cannot handle it yourself, you can call immediately12369 environmental protection hotlineSeek professional help.
check the details
check the details
en
