Mercury toxicity awareness in the nursery.

Mercury vapor may pose an environmental risk to the developing newborn. Two case reports from Southeastern urban hospitals are presented describing potential problem identification, air sampling methods, and recommendations for minimizing the risk. Current convenience sampling of hospital nurseries revealed 11% to 20% use of mercury-filled glass thermometers. Because this use continues to place infants at risk, health care provides must be educated in removing mercury to the extent possible and in ensuring a mechanism for cleaning mercury spills.