Screening More information Mercury and how it is used Mercury is a metal that occurs naturally in small amounts in the environment in several forms.
Metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid.
Because it remains liquid at room temperature, mercury is used in many consumer products. Mercury is used in barometers, blood pressure instruments, thermometers, and other pressure-sensing instruments. Batteries containing mercury are used in some small electronic devices. If heated, mercury is a colorless, odorless gas. Illinois Department of Public Health Back to top Health issues associated with mercury exposure Health issues caused by mercury depend on how much of it has entered the body, how it entered, length of exposure and how the body responds to it.