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Components and Circuits For discussions about component types, alternatives and availability, circuit configurations and modifications etc. Discussions here should be of a general nature and not about specific sets. |
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29th Dec 2018, 3:39 am | #21 |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,724
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Re: I own this beauty since 1995
I wonder how much is considered unsafe for air cargo?
I ask because I just received these on Thursday morning. 20 off mercury tilt switches. Ordered from China for £1.12 inc postage, although they actually came from an address in Bangkok Thailand, through Suvarnabhumi airport. The customs declaration states "Mercury Switch 1 weight 0.008kg" The 20 switches do indeed weigh 8g
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-- Graham. G3ZVT |
29th Dec 2018, 9:55 am | #22 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 453
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Re: I own this beauty since 1995
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29th Dec 2018, 5:57 pm | #23 |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,724
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Re: I own this beauty since 1995
Ah, but if I meant that I would have said, "Each of the 20 switches weighs 8g"
But I take your point if you mean the quantity on the customs decoration appears to refer to the number of packs, and not individual items.
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-- Graham. G3ZVT |
29th Dec 2018, 7:02 pm | #24 |
Hexode
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK.
Posts: 466
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Re: I own this beauty since 1995
The point about mercury is that it is a cumulative poison. It would be possible to ingest quite a lot in one dose without any great harm, but the same amount taken in tiny quantities over a long period would be very dangerous. It builds up in, and damages, the nervous system.
Mercury used to be used, many years ago, to put a gloss on top hats. Hat makers using it would suffer from increasing dementia accompanied by uncontrollable trembling - hence the Mad Hatter. |
31st Dec 2018, 9:08 pm | #25 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Haarlem, Netherlands
Posts: 4,203
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Re: I own this beauty since 1995
It wasn't just used, it was used when heated. Mercury vapours are easily ingested. At room temperature, it would take quite some regular handling of mercury for a cumulative effect.
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31st Dec 2018, 10:08 pm | #26 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,579
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Re: I own this beauty since 1995
Hi
Back in the late 1970s there was a news item about mercury contaminated oranges which obviously caused a bit of a health scare. When I spoke to my mate's father who was a college lecturer specialising in chemistry, he said it's very unlikely to cause any real harm if swallowed as it will pass out through the digestive system. I don't think I would have felt so confident and relaxed as that but I think he was probably right. As others have said, we used to mess about with mercury at school without a second thought and I think it was only in the early 1980s that it's harmful effects were being taken more seriously. Those mercury tilt switches are outstanding value. Regards Symon. Last edited by Philips210; 31st Dec 2018 at 10:18 pm. |
31st Dec 2018, 11:15 pm | #27 | |
Octode
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,770
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Re: I own this beauty since 1995
Quote:
I'm afraid to say, it is this, as opposed to health worries, that would weigh with me when thinking about taking possession of articles containing serious quantities of the stuff. We don't like thinking about our own demise, but ultimately it might not be us that ends up having to sort it all out !
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31st Dec 2018, 11:45 pm | #28 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,579
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Re: I own this beauty since 1995
Hi.
It all seems to be over hyped by the authorities. One would think there must be specialist companies only too pleased to accept mercury for recycling, but no, the powers that be paint a gloomy picture about it's safe disposal involving costly H & S handling procedures. It's similar with asbestos. I was driving past some old cottages near to where I used to live and saw three chaps working on some scaffolding around one of the buildings. They were all dressed like the people dealing with the Salisbury incident, I assumed they must have been removing asbestos from the building. I was quite taken aback. Regards Symon |
1st Jan 2019, 1:58 am | #29 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 9,642
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Re: I own this beauty since 1995
We keep going round this loop. Safety advisories are there for a very good reason. We are quite at liberty to risk our own health, but we don't have the right to risk other peoples, with or without their knowledge.
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3rd Jan 2019, 12:18 pm | #30 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Haarlem, Netherlands
Posts: 4,203
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Re: I own this beauty since 1995
Quite right, I don't think that changes much for what I wrote earlier, but maybe some nuance is in order. We have two reponsibilities to our next generations. One not poisoning them, two preserving our heritage. I think of three options: 1) preserve the original item, labeling it as containing mercury. 2) destroy the original item with inveitably some mercuty entering the environment. Seal off, label and keep the mercury. 3) destroy the original item and hand in the mercury to the council.
I think 1) is probably the safest option and through labeling fulfills the 'not poisoning others' requirement. 2) is an option if you need some mercury to tinker with. 3) if you don't want to put others at risk when you're gone. |