There is perhaps no other heavy metal that is as feared as mercury when it is found in the human body.

Why?  And does it deserve its fearsome reputation?

Factoid:
“Mercury melts at -38.8º C and gallium melts at 29.8º C. Room temperature is considered to be 21º C to 23º C. Therefore mercury is the only metal that’s a liquid at room temperature.” (Quoted from “Playing with Mercury” on YouTube)

Mercury at room temperature cuts a profile which is extremely unique and highly inscrutable by many.  Looking at its behavior when the mercury thermometer breaks and it falls to the floor in little beads or little pools and streams tells why.  This heavy metal has some very usual properties which make it quite useful in myriad modern-day applications.  This is where the real problem begins. Before we go there, let’s talk about one way you can tell if you have mercury in your body?   Continue reading →