Elemental Mercury | Mercury Removal

Common sense science-based solutions for mercury issues

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Oxidation States of Mercury

Mercury occurs in three oxidation states:

Elemental Mercury or Hg⁰
Monovalent Mercury or Hg⁺ or Hg¹
- Mercurous
Divalent Mercury or Hg⁺⁺ or Hg²⁺
- Mercuric

Mercury binds in two states Hg⁺ (mercurous) and Hg⁺⁺ (mercuric) to form mercury compounds that can be either organic or inorganic mercury compounds.

The distinction between Elemental Mercury, Inorganic Mercury and Organic Mercury is much more important than the oxidation states in determining toxicity. Organic mercury compounds are most toxic.

Examples:

Elemental Mercury
- A form of inorganic mercury
- Volatile at room temperature
Inorganic Mercury (Mercury Salts)
- Formed when mercury combines with elements other than carbon, such as chlorine, sulfur, or oxygen
- Mercuric chloride, mercuric sulfide, mercurous chloride
Organic Mercury
- Formed when mercury combines with carbon
- Volatile at room temperature
- Methylmercury, mercuric acetate, methylmercuric chloride, dimethyl mercury, and phenylmercuric acetate

The routes of entry into the body associated with mercury are:

Inhalation (breathing)
Absorption (touching with bare skin)
Ingestion

Elemental Mercury emits vapor readily at room temperature.

Elemental Mercury vapor is colorless, odorless & tasteless.

Elemental Mercury is highly toxic, especially to children, a developing fetus, and the elderly.

When mercury is spilled, microscopic "beads" may be left behind after cleaning and each "bead" will continue to emit vapor.

There are suitable alternatives to mercury and mercury containing devices for virtually everything that contains mercury.

Spilled Mercury on Floor

When mercury spills onto floors and other surfaces, it fractures into hundreds, even thousands of tiny beads; many are invisible to the naked eye, yet still emitting vapor.

Why remove mercury or screen to ensure that no mercury contamination exists?

"Mercury may be the 21st-century lead poisoning," Family Circle Magazine, March 12, 2002, Special Report: The Hidden Danger in Your Home, Are You at Risk for Mercury Poisoning?

"It is important for the general public to understand that either short-term or long-term exposures to metallic mercury can lead to serious health problems," 1997 National Alert, The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), part of the U.S. Public Health Service.

"Exposure to high levels of metallic, inorganic or organic mercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and developing fetus. Effects on brain functioning may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, and memory problems," April 1999, ToxFAQs for Mercury Fact Sheet, The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), part of the U.S. Public Health Service.

"Mercury that is spilled or spread through a school creates an immediate health issue, and may require expensive cleanup and monitoring," June 2001, Ohio EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention, Mercury Awareness for School Teachers Fact Sheet.

"Prevention is the key to avoiding poisoning in homes, schools and families," 1997 National Alert, The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), part of the U.S. Public Health Service.