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What else can I help you with?
Are there any dangers from using mercury?
Yes, mercury is a heavy metal and fairly toxic.
Which is More toxic to humans inorganic Mercury or methyl Mercury?
Methyl mercury is more toxic to humans than inorganic mercury. Methyl mercury is a highly toxic organic form that can accumulate in living organisms and bioaccumulate in the food chain, leading to potential health risks when consumed by humans. Inorganic mercury compounds are generally less toxic and less likely to bioaccumulate.
What liquid used to be in thermometers?
Most thermometers used to contain Mercury until it was found to be toxic.
Does mercury react with acid?
Yes, mercury reacts with strong acids such as hydrochloric acid and nitric acid to form mercury salts. These reactions release toxic mercury vapors, so caution should be exercised when handling mercury in the presence of acids.
What Two ways that mercury is different from silver?
1. Mercury is liquid at room temperature 2. It is a poison 3. Mercury vapour -gas that forms over liquid mercury is VERY toxic 4. Used for welding
What contributed most to the fish population dying during the 1970s salt toxic wastepredators mercury or iodine?
Toxic waste
What human organ system is affected most by toxic mercury levels?
heart
What is the purest form of mercury?
The purest form of mercury is elemental mercury, which exists as a liquid at room temperature. It is a heavy, silvery metal that is commonly used in thermometers and other scientific instruments. Mercury is a transition metal with the chemical symbol Hg (from the Latin hydrargyrum) and atomic number 80.
What is the most common contaminant found in fish?
mercury Due to pollution, mercury can build up in the water where microorganisms convert it to the toxic methyl mercury
Why is alchohol also used in thermometer?
Mercury is toxic and a heavy metal and thus alcohol is a less toxic alternative. Also, mercury will react with aluminum to form an amalgam and can rapidly damage an aircraft superstructure. Alcohol will not do this.
What liquid used to be in most thermometers?
Most thermometers used to contain mercury until it was found to be toxic.
Why is mercury no longer used in many devices?
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.
