Mercury has many industrial uses and applications. Upon inspection you will find that it is present in a number of items commonly found in schools. The problem is that most mercury compounds are also toxic and readily absorbed and accumulated by the body. In addition, due to our common use of mercury bearing articles, many individuals have forgotten or assume that elemental mercury and mercury compounds can be highly toxic if mishandled.
Elemental mercury is a volatile toxic heavy metal.
Mercury is an unusual metal in that it can evaporate at room temperature. Also, mercury is a neurotoxin which means it can adversely effect the central nervous system. Upon exposure, mercury tends to accumulate quickly in the brain where it tightly binds with the tissue and is released at a very slow rate. In addition, inorganic and organic mercuric compounds are also commonly found in schools. Many of these materials may also be teratogenic or capable of causing birth defects.