Hello, I'm Dr. Emily Carter, a chemist specializing in environmental toxicology. I've been studying the impact of heavy metals, including mercury, on human health and the environment for over two decades.

Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in the earth's crust. It's a highly toxic substance that can be harmful to human health and the environment, even at very low levels. Mercury exists in different forms, each with unique properties and health risks. The most common forms of mercury are:

* Elemental Mercury: This is the form of mercury that is liquid at room temperature and is sometimes called "quicksilver". It's commonly used in scientific instruments, thermometers, barometers, and fluorescent lamps.
* Inorganic Mercury: This form of mercury is typically found in salts, oxides, and sulfides. It's used in batteries, pesticides, and some industrial processes.
* Organic Mercury: This form of mercury is found in compounds where mercury is bonded to carbon. The most common type of organic mercury is methylmercury, which is highly toxic and can accumulate in the food chain.

Here's a breakdown of some common products that contain mercury:

1. Thermometers: Traditional mercury thermometers are still used in some medical settings, though their use is declining due to safety concerns.
2. Fluorescent Lamps: While newer fluorescent lamps contain less mercury than older models, they still contain a small amount.
3. Batteries: Some types of batteries, such as button cell batteries, can contain mercury.
4. Dental Amalgam: Dental amalgam, which is a mixture of mercury and other metals, has been used for fillings for many years. While its use has decreased in recent years, it's still used in some parts of the world.
5. Medical Devices: Some medical devices, such as certain types of blood pressure gauges, can contain mercury.
6. Cosmetics: Some cosmetics, such as skin lightening creams, can contain mercury.
7. Certain Types of Paint: Some older paints, particularly those used for exterior surfaces, can contain mercury.
8. Fungicides and Pesticides: Some pesticides and fungicides, particularly those used in agriculture, can contain mercury.

It's important to note that mercury can also be found in other products not specifically listed here.

Here are some key things to remember about mercury:

* Mercury is a hazardous substance. It can be harmful to human health and the environment even at low levels.
* **Mercury exposure can cause a range of health problems.** These can include neurological damage, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular disease.
* **Mercury can be released into the environment from various sources.** These include industrial processes, coal-fired power plants, and the burning of waste.
* **It's important to take steps to reduce our exposure to mercury.** This includes being aware of the products that contain mercury and using mercury-free alternatives whenever possible.

If you have any further questions about mercury, please don't hesitate to ask.

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Products with mercuryFluorescent light bulbs and lamps, including compact fluorescent lamps, tubes, high intensity discharge lamps and tanning lamps contain mercury and must be recycled.Batteries (external link) can contain toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead and nickel.More items...read more >>