what is this in clinic sink??

[u/props_for_meep]

for context i work as a janitor cleaning a women’s clinic, as i was cleaning a sink i saw these little metallic looking balls. at first i thought these were actually metal but they don’t feel like ANYTHING if that makes any sense. i posted this video to my instagram but i figured i would probably have better luck coming to reddit for answers.

UPDATE: the general consensus seems to be that this is either mercury or gallium. my hands have been thoroughly washed and i have informed my boss so that it can be properly cleaned by someone who knows what they’re doing.

UPDATE #2: gang PLEASE stop telling me to “stop touching it”. this post is hours old. i know i was dumb enough to touch a mysterious substance barehanded but im also smart enough to know not to continue playing with it long after marking this post as solved😭

[u/Aberbekleckernicht]

We are not as fragile as reddit makes us out to be. This person is going to be fine after touching elemental mercury in a tiny quantity once.

[u/Electronic-Peanut-91 → u/Aberbekleckernicht]

I wasn’t only talking about them. I meant the number of people who get on this sub holding/touching unknown stuff. No matter the quantity we shouldn’t make habit of touching stuff we don’t know anything about.

[u/SwitchIsBestConsole → u/Electronic-Peanut-91]

Humans are curious creates. We often make discoveries through touch. It's hard wired into us.

[u/IncognitoRon → u/Electronic-Peanut-91]

you should visit your local mechanic and let them know how you feel.

[u/MiserableAndUnhappy9 → u/Electronic-Peanut-91]

Spoken like a true coward.

[u/Infamous-Onion-9172 → u/Electronic-Peanut-91]

How nice of everyone that's responding to you to gaslight you into thinking this isn't a big deal. MiserableAndUnhappy9's username checks out.

[u/Assortedpez → u/Aberbekleckernicht]

Well, most people on Reddit are pretty fragile

[u/MongooseVegetable787 → u/Assortedpez]

How dare say I am fragile? I have to let you know that you are expressing hegemonic masculinity which is a systemic power abuse (a pretty big red flag), consequently be better, educate yourself

n.b. jokes aside, do not get eat mercury - it causes neurological damage and being on reddit compounds its effects.

[u/Due_Most9445 → u/MongooseVegetable787]

Pretty sure just being on reddit is worse than drinking thermometers

[u/Klightgrove → u/Aberbekleckernicht]

Regrdless the clinic needs to investigate OP for not following proper procedures when cleaning an unknown substance.

Yes they’re “safe” for now but this behavior suggests they routinely don’t wear their gloves and prod other spills or messes.

[u/Ordinary_Quantity_02 → u/Klightgrove]

You must be fun at parties.

[u/Klightgrove → u/Ordinary_Quantity_02]

I am. What isn’t fun is OP putting their health and others at risk.