FAQ: What Things Contain Mercury?

Products That May Contain Mercury

• thermometers (looks like a silvery liquid)
• thermostats.
• blood-pressure cuffs.
• barometers.
• fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps.
• mercurochrome.
• auto switches.
• float switches.

•

Which products contain mercury?

List of Common Consumer Products that Contain Mercury

• Antiques. Some antiques such as barometers, clock pendulums, mirrors, vases and organs contain mercury.
• Appliances.
• Automotive parts.
• Barometers.
• Batteries.
• Dental amalgam.
• Electronics.
• Jewelry.

Where can I find mercury at home?

Mercury Containing Products Commonly Found in Homes

1. Thermometers.
2. Thermostats.
3. Button Cell Batteries.
4. Fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and CFLs)
5. Mercury switches (in automobiles and appliances)
6. Barometers.
7. Blood pressure gauges.
8. Mercury-Added Novelties.

What is mercury used in today?

Mercury is used in fluorescent lamps, thermometers, float valves, dental amalgams, in medicine, for the production of other chemicals, and to make liquid mirrors.

How do you know if a product contains mercury?

Since mercury doesn’t have a distinctive smell or color, the only way to tell if it is in a product is to read the labeling. In the US, all cosmetic products are required to list their ingredients. Skin care containing mercury is often marketed as anti-aging and/or lightening or whitening.

What is high in mercury?

King mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, tilefish, ahi tuna, and bigeye tuna all contain high levels of mercury. Women who are pregnant or nursing or who plan to become pregnant within a year should avoid eating these fish.

Can mercury be in your house?

You might be surprised to learn where mercury is found in your home and school. Thermometers (fever, cooking, outdoor), thermostats, fluorescent lamps, button batteries, and some switches or relays can all be a source of mercury.

Where can I find liquid mercury?

It is found mostly in China, Spain and California. Droplets of liquid mercury can actually be found within the ore, though it is usually extracted through heating.

What are three uses for mercury?

Mercury is used in laboratories for making thermometers, barometers, diffusion pumps, and many other instruments. It is used for mercury switches and other electrical apparatus. It is used as an electrode in some types of electrolysis and for making batteries (mercury cells).

What is mercury and its uses?

Elemental mercury is used in thermometers, blood pressure devices, and thermostats because its ability to expand and contract uniformly makes it useful for measuring changes in temperature and pressure. Mercury is also used in dental fillings, paints, soaps, batteries, and fluorescent lighting.

Is mercury still used?

Most uses have been discontinued. Some medicines use small amounts of these compounds as preservatives. Learn about the use of thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative, in vaccines. In addition, mercury is still used in skin lighteners and anti-aging products for the skin.

What is mercury in product?

Mercury is a common ingredient found in skin lightening soaps and creams. It is also found in other cosmetics, such as eye makeup cleansing products and mascara. Mercury salts inhibit the formation of melanin, resulting in a lighter skin tone.

What happens if mercury touches skin?

Mercury is a very toxic or poisonous substance that people can be exposed to in several ways. If it is swallowed, like from a broken thermometer, it mostly passes through your body and very little is absorbed. If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you.

What does mercury does to your skin?

The inorganic salts of mercury are corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested. Neurological and behavioural disorders may be observed after inhalation, ingestion or dermal exposure of different mercury compounds.