Glossary of Terms

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Mercury
Symbol: Hg
Atomic Number: 80

Mercury or sometimes called "quicksilver", is a shiny liquid metal that is a widespread environmental contaminant. Recently, interest has grown in the possible harmful health effects of mercury leaching from dental amalgam fillings as well as the increased consumption of fish contaminated with mercury.

Methylmercury, the common poisonous form, occurs by methylation in aquatic biota or sediments (both freshwater and ocean). This form of mercury accumulates in aquatic animals and fish and moves up the food chain reaching high concentrations in large fish, predatory birds and other animals that eat fish.

Other forms of mercury such as ethyl mercury and mercuric chloride are also very poisonous. There is intriguing research correlating increased hair mercury levels with certain health conditions. As compared to our ancestors, modern humans have much higher body levels of mercury, because of its greater use in recent times. It has been used for more than 2,000 years.

Inhaled mercury fumes go into the blood, because mercury is soluble and passes through the lungs. About 50 percent of the body mercury is stored in the kidneys with the rest being retained in the blood, bones, liver, spleen, brain, and fat tissue also hold mercury.

Mercury can penetrate the blood brain barrier and nerve tissue, so central nervous system symptoms may develop. Mercury can also get into a fetus through the umbilical cord and into breast milk.

Other common sources of mercury are dental amalgams; explosive detonators; thermometers, barometers and laboratory equipment, batteries and electrodes and fungicides, pesticides, and cosmetics. It is also found in mirrors, explosives, latex paints, fabric softeners, felt, floor waxes and polishes, sewage sludge, laxatives containing calomel, cinnabar jewelry, tattoo dyes, and many others.

The term mercury come from the Latin word hydrargyrum meaning liquid silver.

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