Mercury

Mercury is a naturally occurring element in air, water and soil. Elemental or metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white metal, historically referred to as quicksilver, because it is liquid at room temperature.

It is used in the old style design of thermometers, in fluorescent light bulbs and some electrical switches, aswell as liquid mirror telescopes, dental amalgams and vaccines.

Mercury poisoning can cause eyes, skin, stomach, chest and breathing issues, insomnia, weakness, exhaustion, weight loss. Can cause serious in issues in young children.

Mercury is covered by the EU and UK Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) directive and regulations, meaning its use is restricted to 0.1% in products through application and monitored, along with other substances that include lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).

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