What Is Mercury?
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal. Like most metals, it is shiny and conducts electricity. However, mercury is unique because it is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. Mercury is also very dense - one cup of mercury weighs almost as much as 14 cups of water!
Like other liquids, mercury mixes well with many other substances to form compounds. It forms alloys when mixed with other metals like gold, silver, or tin. It also combines easily with organic substances creating dangerous organic mercury compounds.
Mercury evaporates very quickly at room temperature. If mercury is spilled it must be cleaned up very promptly or it can be very dangerous if inhaled.
Why is Mercury Dangerous?
For many years, we have known that mercury is dangerous for human health. The first record of mercury poisoning was recorded as early as 50 B.C. Scientific research has since shown that mercury damages nerve cells in the brain and body (Watch a Video), and that high levels of exposure can lead to illness and even death. It can also damage the developing nerve cells in an unborn child if the mother is exposed to mercury during her pregnancy.
Over the past forty years, further research has suggested that mercury emissions from human activities are having widespread impacts on environmental and human health. It is important that actions are taken to reduce these mercury emissions, both by-products or deliberate uses.
For further information about mercury's impact on the environment, click here for a downloadable PDF fact sheet - Mercury & the Environment Q&As .
What is Mercury Used For?
The use of mercury has been eliminated in many situations in favour of safer alternatives. However, it is still used in some modern products and applications. Products containing mercury include thermometers, thermostats, dental fillings and fluorescent light bulbs. Mercury is used or released in industrial processes such as the generation of electricity, base metal smelting and burning garbage.
Below is a table listing some examples of household products containing mercury and mercury free alternatives.
| Products Containing Mercury | Mercury Free Alternatives |
| Thermometers | -Alcohol Thermometers -Digital Electronic Thermometers |
| Thermostats (round, non-electric models) | -Electronic models and Snap Switches |
| Button batteries (some) | -Mercury Free Button Batteries (Zinc Air type) |
| Fluorescent and High Intensity Discharge (HID) Light Bulbs | -Low mercury, energy efficient fluorescent lamps (T5s or T8s) |
| "Silver" Dental Amalgam | -Non-mercury composites or gold |
| Quicksilver Maze Toy | -Mercury free toys |
| Old Latex Paint (interior paint pre 1990, exterior paint pre 1991) | -New Latex Paint |
| Some children's running shoes that light up | -Mercury free shoes (consult label) |
| Contact lens solution (containing Thimerosal, a mercury containing preservative) | -Mercury free solutions |
| Nasal spray (containing Thimerosal or phenylmercuric acetate) | -Mercury free sprays |
Summarized from: Pollution Probe Mercury Primer, page 58.
What Can You Do?
1. Remove the Risk.
Collect mercury and mercury-containing items from your home and dispose of them safely. Bring mercury thermometers, thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs, or any other form of household mercury for free to the EWSWA Household Chemical Waste Depot (located at the intersection of EC Row and Central Avenue).
2. Shop Smart.
Buy alternative items that are mercury-free. For example, purchase a digital or alcohol thermometer instead of a mercury one. Invest in an electronic thermostat instead of a mercury one. You'll be investing in a mercury-free product, and you'll likely save on energy costs too.