Fluorescent lamps

Home treatment:

Wash the exposed areas thoroughly with water. If the beryllium salts or mercury was swallowed, contact Poison Control for further guidance.

Before calling emergency:

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• for beryllium salts
  • Prescribe bed rest.
  • Give an antidote.
  • Use gastric lavage.
  • Treat the symptoms.

• for mercury
  • Induce emesis.
  • Administer activated charcoal.
  • Administer a cathartic (a medication used to evacuate the - bowels).
  • Give an antidote.
  • Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Death rarely occurs, but recovery may take months.