Mercury is an element that is found in air, water and soil. It has several forms. Metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid. If heated, it is a colorless, odorless gas. It also combines with other elements to form powders or crystals. Mercury is in many products. Metallic mercury is used in glass thermometers, silver dental fillings, and button batteries. Mercury salts may be used in skin creams and ointments. It's also used in many industries.
Mercury in the air settles into water. It can pass through the food chain and build up in fish, shellfish, and animals that eat fish. The nervous system is sensitive to all forms of mercury. Exposure to high levels can damage the brain and kidneys. Pregnant women can pass the mercury in their bodies to their babies.
- Mercury (National Library of Medicine)Mercury is an element that is found in air, water and soil. It has several forms. Metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid. If ... with other elements to form powders or crystals. Mercury is in many products. Metallic mercury is used ...
- This article discusses poisoning from mercury. This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or ...
- Basic Information about Mercury (Environmental Protection Agency)Mercury/Start Here ... Mercury ... Environmental Protection Agency ... This page contains information about products that contain mercury, mercury emissions, how you ...
- Mercury (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry)Exposure to mercury occurs from breathing contaminated air, ingesting contaminated water and food, and having dental and medical treatments. Mercury, at ...
- Mercury Poisoning Linked to Skin Products (Food and Drug Administration)... and antiseptic soaps, or lotions that might contain mercury after products with the toxic metal turned up ...
- Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury (Environmental Protection Agency)Mercury/Related Issues ... Mercury ... Environmental Protection Agency ... Learn about the form of mercury, and how exposure to its various forms effect the health of ...
- Storing, Transporting and Disposing of Mercury in Your Home (Environmental Protection Agency)Mercury/Related Issues ... Mercury ... Environmental Protection Agency ... Learn how to properly store, transport and get rid of elemental mercury in your home or business
- Mercury (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)Mercury is a metal that is toxic to living organisms. It exists in several forms, some of ... occur naturally in the environment. Metallic or elemental mercury — an odorless, shiny, silver-white liquid — is commonly ...
- Mercury and Pregnancy (March of Dimes Foundation)Mercury is a metal that can cause serious health problems if you're exposed to large amounts ...
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Mercury Poisoning (National Institutes of Health)Mercury/Clinical Trials ... Mercury