The tobacco plant readily absorbs and accumulates heavy metals such as mercury from the surrounding soil into its leaves. These are subsequently inhaled during tobacco smoking. [108] While mercury is a constituent of tobacco smoke, [109] studies have largely failed to discover a significant correlation between smoking and Hg uptake by humans compared to sources such as occupational exposure, fish consumption, and amalgam tooth fillings. [110] A newspaper claimed that an unidentified European Union directive calling for energy-efficient lightbulbs to be made mandatory by 2012 encouraged China to re-open cinnabar mines to obtain the mercury required for CFL bulb manufacture. Environmental dangers have been a concern, particularly in the southern cities of Foshan and Guangzhou, and in Guizhou province in the southwest. [43]

Norway enacted a total ban on the use of mercury in the manufacturing and import/export of mercury products, effective 1 January 2008. [141] In 2002, several lakes in Norway were found to have a poor state of mercury pollution, with an excess of 1μg/g of mercury in their sediment. [142] As electrodes in some types of electrolysis, batteries ( mercury cells), sodium hydroxide and chlorine production, handheld games, catalysts, insecticides. The EPA announced new rules for coal-fired power plants on 22 December 2011. [136] Cement kilns that burn hazardous waste are held to a looser standard than are standard hazardous waste incinerators in the United States, and as a result are a disproportionate source of mercury pollution. [137] European Union A serious industrial disaster was the dumping of waste mercury compounds into Minamata Bay, Japan, between 1932 and 1968. It is estimated that over 3,000 people suffered various deformities, severe mercury poisoning symptoms or death from what became known as Minamata disease. [103] [104] Glacial Ice Cores Reveal A Record of Natural and Anthropogenic Atmospheric Mercury Deposition for the Last 270 Years". United States Geological Survey (USGS). Archived from the original on 4 July 2007 . Retrieved 1 May 2007.Thermometers and sphygmomanometers containing mercury were invented in the early 18th and late 19th centuries, respectively. In the early 21st century, their use is declining and often banned. [63] Most thermometers now use pigmented alcohol instead of mercury.

Mayell, H. (17 July 2007). "Did Mercury in "Little Blue Pills" Make Abraham Lincoln Erratic?". National Geographic News. Archived from the original on 22 May 2008 . Retrieved 15 June 2008.a b "Thimerosal in Vaccines". Food and Drug Administration / Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. 6 September 2007. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007 . Retrieved 1 October 2007. Soratur, S. H. (2002). Essentials of Dental Materials. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. p.14. ISBN 978-81-7179-989-3. Mercury dissolves many metals such as gold and silver to form amalgams. Iron is an exception, and iron flasks have traditionally been used to trade mercury. Several other first row transition metals with the exception of manganese, copper and zinc are also resistant in forming amalgams. Other elements that do not readily form amalgams with mercury include platinum. [18] [19] Sodium amalgam is a common reducing agent in organic synthesis, and is also used in high-pressure sodium lamps. HG is a rarer condition, happening in only about 0.5 to 2 percent of pregnancies. It typically includes nausea that doesn’t go away and severe vomiting that leads to dehydration. This doesn’t allow you to keep any food or fluids down.