A hospital in Johor Baru descended into a panic on Monday after a thermometer broke, spilling 15ml of mercury.
According to The New Straits Times, eight members from the Johor Fire and Rescue Department hazardous material (Hazmat) team were dispatched to the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital at around 4.15pm, soon after they were alerted to the mercury spill.
“There were several staff and patients waiting for their turn at the X-ray room when it happened. There was panic when they saw the thermometer fell and broke.
“Fortunately, no one was directly exposed to the mercury. The hospital attendant and others in the room underwent medical checks and were given the all clear,” operation chief Saiful Bahri Safar was quoted by daily as saying.
Saiful Bahri added that the situation was under control in less than 30 minutes.
“We managed to secure the situation and prevent any possibility of spread.
“The Hazmat team conducted stabilising work for mercury bonding, and the substance was contained. We advised the (hospital) to refer to the environmental quality authority during the process of disposing the hazardous substance,” he was further quoted as saying.
This was the second such case to have happened in the state this month.
On August 2, a family was forced to evacuate their home after a broken blood pressure measuring device caused a mercury spill.
