mercury is extremely poisonous and has to be used carefully. when mercury is spilled, there are special ways to clean it up. smaller drops should be combined to a larger drop on hard surfaces to be removed more easily (for example, being pushed into a bag that can be thrown away). vacuum cleaners and brooms should not be used. this is because they can spread mercury even more. afterwards, elements such as sulfur or zinc powder should be sprinkled over the place, then collected and cleaned away. it is not easy to clean mercury entirely off clothing, so it is better not to use them anymore. breathing in mercury vapor is also very dangerous.