[StefanVidenov]

I broke a mercury thermometer in my house. I cleaned most of it but there's about 1/5th remaining between the parquet and I can't remove it. There are about 4-5 spheres of mercury with diameter from 0.5 to 1.5mm left.
It is impossible to remove it without removing the parquet boards.

I sleep in the same room, but the balcony door is open 24/7, so it is well ventilated . Are there any serious threats and what can I do about it?

Thank you!

[Arkcon]

I don't know if the local hardware stores stock this sort of thing, but there are spill cleanup kits designed for mercury.  They're usually based on a synthetic sponge these days, but in the past, zinc dust, iron filings or sulfur powder are all good ways to absorb mercury.  Then you sweep it away and dispose of everything.

[StefanVidenov]

The thing is that there isn't anything of the sorts in the local pharmacy or hardware stores. And even if there was the mercury is between the boards so I can't reach to it.

What's the hazard?

[Borek]

What's the hazard?

To quote wikipedia:

Case control studies have shown effects such as tremors, impaired cognitive skills, and sleep disturbance in workers with chronic exposure to mercury vapor even at low concentrations in the range 0.7–42 μg/m³. A study has shown that acute exposure (4 – 8 hours) to calculated elemental mercury levels of 1.1 to 44 mg/m³ resulted in chest pain, dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis, impairment of pulmonary function, and evidence of interstitial pneumonitis.

I had to spend quite a lot of time in a well ventilated rooms with small spills and I have never felt any of these symptoms, but it doesn't mean everyone will react the same way.

Observe these droplets - if they get smaller, they will soon disappear (and the problem is gone). If they don't get visibly smaller, they evaporate slowly and the concentration of mercury vapor in the room is rather low (which makes risk lower).

In any case, I would look for chemicals Arkcon mentioned - even if you don't have direct access to the droplets as long as you can see them you can probably blow the dust so that it covers them, that will make the situation much better.

[Mitch]

Also, try to ensure the room is well ventilated and that the air circulates out.