3. Moderately active
Mercury reacts at about 350°C to form Mercury II oxide
2Hg(s) + O2(g) → 2HgO(s)
A red powder form of mercury
Mercury does not react with non-oxidizing acids but it
reacts with concentrated nitric acid, HNO3, and
concentrated sulfuric acid, H2SO4
4. Silver liquid at room temperature
Melting point: -38.87 °C
Boiling point: 356.58 °C
High surface tension
Good electricity conductor
Insoluble
5. Environment:
Mercury vapor emitted from both natural and
anthropogenic sources is distributed in the atmosphere. It
returns as a water-soluble form in precipitation and ends up
in bodies of water.
Cells:
Mercury is inhaled (vapor), ingested (eating fish exposed to
mercury vapor or methyl mercury), or injected ( ethyl
mercury used in vaccines) into cells.
7. Natural sources:
some mercury is released from natural sources like
volcanoes and forest fires and as a result of normal
breakdown of minerals in rocks and soil through exposure
to wind and water
Anthropogenic sources:
coal burning power plants, industrial boilers, waste
combustors, thermometers, blood pressure gauges, clinical
reagents, lab chemicals, dental amalgams, fluorescent light
tubes, switches, batteries, cosmetics, paint additives,
pesticides
Complete list of sources http://www.glrppr.org/docs/mercury_in_industry.htm
8. Mercury and all of its compounds are toxic, exposure to
excessive levels can permanently damage or fatally
injure the brain and kidneys
Organic compounds of mercury such as methyl mercury
are considered the most toxic forms of the element.
Exposures to very small amounts of these compounds
can result in devastating neurological damage and death
9. Mercury in the air may settle into water bodies and affect
water quality
Methyl mercury accumulates in fish at levels that may
harm the fish and the other animals that eat them.
10. Disruption of the nervous system
Damage to brain functions
o degradation of learning abilities, personality changes, tremors,
vision changes, deafness, muscle incoordination and memory
loss.
Allergic reactions
o skin rashes, tiredness, and headaches
Reproductive effects, such as sperm damage, birth
defects and miscarriages
DNA damage and chromosomal damage
