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MERCURY: BASIC INFORMATION
Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in air, water and soil. It exists in the environment in
several forms. Elemental or metallic mercury
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A shiny, silver-white metal that is liquid at room temperature
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Used in thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, and certain electrical switches
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When dropped, it breaks into small droplets that can pass through small cracks or become strongly attracted to or attached to certain materials
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When exposed to the air it can evaporate into an invisible, odorless, toxic vapor
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People can be exposed to elemental mercury vapor, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces, when products containing elemental mercury break and release mercury
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Inorganic mercury compounds
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Typically take the form of mercury salts; usually a white powder, granule or crystal
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An exception is mercuric sulfide, or cinnabar, which is red
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Sometimes found in products such as fungicides, antiseptics and disinfectants
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Can be found in some skin lightening and freckle creams, as well as some traditional medicines. Many therapeutic uses of inorganic mercury have been discontinued, but may continue to be found in non-traditional products.
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Organic mercury compounds
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Formed when mercury combines with carbon
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Methylmercury is the most common organic mercury compound found in the environment; microscopic organisms convert inorganic mercury into
methylmercury
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Methylmercury accumulates up the food chain, largely in regard to fish consumption
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The factors that determine how severe the health effects are from mercury exposure include: the chemical form (methylmercury is more toxic than elemental), the dose, the person’s age, the duration of exposure, the route of exposure, and the underlying health of the person exposed. July 2007 |
