Mercury from many sources, including from inside common household thermostats, can be hazardous to humans, wildlife and the environment. The DEC has established a Mercury Task Force to help coordinate its response to issues on mercury and the environment. About Environmental Mercury Mercury is a metal that occurs naturally in the environment in several forms. The most common form, metallic or elemental, is a silvery, odorless liquid. That is the form commonly found in household thermometers.
Elemental mercury can evaporate at room temperature to form a vapor.
Mercury can escape to the environment when items containing mercury are broken or thrown away. Whether the items are dumped in sewers, garbage cans or burned, some of the mercury will eventually enter the atmosphere. Mercury is a pollutant in the air emissions from activities such as burning coal. A number of other possible sources of mercury exist, including cement plants and gasoline combustion and in many consumer products and devices. Mercury can also combine with other elements to form both inorganic and organic compounds.