It may look sharp, but that antique clock could pose a health hazard. According to a report issued June 15 by the New York State Department of Health, in collaboration with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, antique collectors and dealers should proceed with caution when handling items that run the risk of containing toxic mercury.

While collectors of barometers, thermometers and thermostats are more likely to be aware of the hazards, mercury is also prevalent in many common household goods, where it was used for its reflective and ballastic properties long before scientists understood the hazards. Such items include mirrors and silvered vases, where it collects in beads along the base, clocks, where it can be found in the pendulum, and floor lamps, where it may have been used in the base as a weight.

Claire Pospisil, Spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Health, is hoping that the report will raise awareness and keep people safe. "Hopefully people who own antiques, after reading this [report] will check their antiques and if there is a broken seal it will help them prevent leaks in the future," she told AHN.

If handled properly, most mercury-containing antiques do not pose a threat. Each item should be inspected for cracks or leaks, kept in a leak proof container and kept upright. The state or local environmental or health department should be contacted for advice on removing and replacing mercury components. Do not attempt to vacuum the residue. This can cause the mercury to be released into the air as vapor.

Short-term exposure to mercury can cause lung damage, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes and eye irritation. It can be particularly harmful to children and developing fetuses.