What is Mercury?

Mercury is a metal element with atomic number 80 and a symbol of HG from Latin hydragyrus , which means "liquid silver". The periodic table of elements is located in Group 12, just below the cadmium and in the period 6 between gold and Thall. It is referred to as "transient metal". It is a heavy element that is a liquid at room temperature. Described as silver-white color, it's poisonous. The extraction process was first described by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 B.c.). His name for the Roman god of mercury reflects this period.

This element is often obtained from ore cinnar. The process that steam is extracted from ore cinnar is called roasting. It then condenses to collect in liquid form. Mercury is located mainly in Europe - in Spain, Italy and an area that was previously Yugoslavia. About 8,400 tons (7, 620 metric tons) per year.

Mercury has a number of uses. These are the usual liquid in thermometers, barometers and sphegmomanometers and is used in the dilatorsCNA, batteries, colors, plastic and pesticides. Its steam is also used in lamps and the element is used in the gold mining industry.

This liquid metal is highly toxic. It is associated with congenital defects in children and neurological damage, kidney damage and blindness after later exposure.

Today, contaminated fish are one of the main sources of mercury outside industry. In the past, the element was used in the production of felt hats. Thus, mercury poisoning poisoning was the danger that the hat led to the phrase "Mad as hat" and the character of Mad Hatter in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, the name of Per Charleselutwidge Dodgson.

Mercury, however, has some health. Its inorganic salts are part of some products that stop the growth of bacteria and mushrooms. It is also used in hospital laboratories in urine analysis and fixations.