Until afew years ago, the factory used to manufacture half a million thermometers annually. However, production is reportedto have fallen owing to declining demand in Western markets where environmental and public health concernsover mercury have led to the replacement of products such as mercury thermometers with non-mercurythermometers. Although probably best known as the silver liquid in thermometers, mercury has over 3,000 industrial uses. Mercuryand its compounds are widely distributed in the environment as a result of both natural and man-madeactivities. The utility, and the toxicity, of mercury have been known for centuries.
Mercury occurs naturally in theenvironment as mercuric sulfide, also known as cinnabar.
B.C. Mercury is present in numerous chemical forms. Elemental mercury itself is toxic and cannotbe broken down into less hazardous compounds. In 1973, U.S. consumption ofmercury was 1900 metric tons. It is used primarily in battery manufacturing and chlorine-alkali production as well asin paints and industrial instruments. Until paint manufacturers agreed to eliminate the use of mercury in interior paints,480,000 pounds of mercury in paints and coatings were produced each year.