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Mercury and most of its compounds are extremely toxic. In cases of spills involving mercury (such as from thermometers) specific cleaning procedures are used to avoid toxic exposure.

Mercury can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes, so containers of mercury are securely sealed to avoid spills and evaporation. Heating of mercury, or compounds of mercury that may decompose when heated, is always carried out with adequate ventilation in order to avoid exposure to mercury vapor.

The most toxic forms of mercury are its organic compounds, such as methylmercury. However, inorganic compounds, such as cinnabar are also highly toxic by ingestion or inhalation of the dust.

Mercury can cause both chronic and acute poisoning.

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Q: Why is mercury no longer used in many devices?
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Where can you find the element Mercury?

Mercury or quicksilver, is the most commonly used in thermometers and barometers. It also has other scientific uses, such as manometers and float valves. Mercury is also used for medical purposes, such as blood pressure devices, and can be found in some over-the-counter medicine, such as eye drops, and diaper-rash ointment. However scientist are still trying to determine if Mercury is found on the actual planet Mercury. Mercury is also used in mascara. Mercury's vaporous discharge can produce light, thus it can be found in some ultraviolet lamps. But, it can also be found in deposits all over the world, as cinnabar (Red mercury). EDIT: The element Mercury is highly toxic and CAN'T BE USED IN MEDICINE. It can cause many diseases and sicknesses. Mercury is usually found deep down in the ground; near the core of the Earth.


Why is mercury a special metal and where is it used?

It's a liquid at room temperature is the main reason that it's special. It used to be used in thermometers but since they broke all the time and mercury is posion to humans in large ammounts and doesn't leave the body they are no longer made.


What can mercury do?

Mercury can Kill you if you consume it. Mercury used to be used in thermometrs.


What is the smallets planet?

the smallest planet would be Pluto but since scientists say its not it would be MERCURY.


What are laser measuring devices used for?

Laser measuring devices are generally used in construction-related work. Uses of laser measuring devices in such a situation include measuring distance, and seeing if an object is level.

Related questions

Why is Mercury no longer used in most thermometers?

Mercury is a very poisonous substance.


Why is mercury used in car leveling devices?

So that it is easily see!!


Why is mercury no longer used in thermometer?

Mercury, if it enters your body, causes severe brain problems, and is usually deadly, so it is a poisonous material. it is no longer used in thermometers because thermometers were breaking and too many people were dying.


Why is mercury preferably used in a thermometer when compared to alchol?

Mercury does not evaporate as fast as alcohol, so mercury thermometers stay accurate longer.


What is mercury used for in everyday life?

It was used in thermometers but this is no longer aloud for obvious reasons of poisoning.Mercury was also used as a medicine for syphilis and constipation. Axiomatically this is also no longer done.


Why is mercury used in clinical thermometer and not laboratory thermometer?

Mercury is no longer used much in thermometers due to the poisonous compounds that it forms. When I grew up, in Chemistry at school and at the doctors there were mercury thermometers and alcohol thermometers.


Is Mercury a conductor or an insulator of electricity?

Mercury is a fair conductor of electricity , although it is a poor conductor of heat.


What is a lithium polymer battery used for?

It used mostly for high voltage using devices. It lasts longer than a normal alkaline battery and is often used in a camera or other high drain devices.


What can a USB extension cable be used for?

A USB extension cable can be used to allow a longer distance between two devices.


How many devices can be used on a single SCSI bus?

8 Devices can be used on a single SCSI bus.


Lead forms part of electrical solder used for joining wires. Explain why lead can be used for this purpose but mercury cannot.?

A solder used for joining wires needs to be solid at working temperature when used in electrical devices. Mercury is a liquid and cannot be used. Mercury is used to make electrical connection in certain switches where contact is temporary and reversible.


How was mercury used in the mining process?

At time mercury was used to extract metallic gold from gold ore. The ore was crushed to powder, and washed over a copper sheet covered in mercury. The gold would combine with the mercury, and be recovered by distilling the mercury. This was very dangerous due to the poisonous nature of mercury- and it only captured about 15% of the gold. It is no longer used in gold mining.