Environmental Health Student Portal
Connecting School Students to Environmental Health Information

Mercury

Know what inspired the Mad Hatter character in Alice in Wonderland? The element mercury. In old times, hat makers got "mad-hatter" syndrome, or mercury poisoning, because the mercury they used in making felt hats damaged their brains. Thankfully, we now know how dangerous exposure to mercury can be.

Mercury (also known as quicksilver) is a natural metal. It’s a shiny, silver liquid, which evaporates into a colorless gas. In modern times, people use it in light bulbs, dental fillings, batteries, paint, and glass thermometers, and in some industrial processes. It must be disposed of properly, or it can wind up contaminating soil, water, and air.

Mercury is toxic to humans—especially children--and the environment. For people in the United States, the most common route of exposure is through eating fish and shellfish containing mercury. Touching it, inhaling fumes, and drinking contaminated water are other ways to be exposed. Health problems can vary and depend on the type, amount, and duration of exposure.

In this section of the Web site, learn about mercury and its toxic effects, discover what scientists and public health officials are doing to protect our health, and find out how you can protect yourself. 

If you think your health has been affected by exposure to mercury, contact your health care professional.　

For poisoning emergencies or questions about possible poisons, please contact your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Explore the links at right to:

• Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Mercury Quick Finder for a range of information on mercury
• Discover ways people have used mercury through the ages
• See what mercury looks like in the great video "Don’t Mess with Mercury"
• Get the latest fish-eating advisories from the EPA
• Find out how scientists are studying new ways to limit our exposure
• Visit Tox Town to see where the mercury hot spots could be in your neighborhood
• Find out which U.S. President may have suffered from mercury poisoning
• Do activities to learn more about mercury in your home, school, and community and what you can do about it
• Learn about mercury waste management and the Mercury Thermostat Collections Act of 2008
• Print out the International Chemical Safety Card on mercury for facts at a glance