The first type, mercury metal, accounts for most exposure at work, at home, and in the community environment. Exposure to the second type, methylmercury, only occurs from eating some types of fish. Exposure to the other two types of mercury are less common. Exposure to any form of mercury on a repeated basis, or even from a single high exposure, can cause mercury toxicity. If you are exposed to mercury from more than one source, these exposures will add up.
Mercury metal is a silver-gray liquid.
When exposed to the air or if spilled, mercury metal vapor gets into the air where it can be breathed into the lungs. The warmer the temperature, the more quickly the mercury gets into the air. Mercury can also be absorbed through the skin but is not harmful if swallowed. If spilled mercury is not cleaned up completely, it easily gets spread around. Mercury can be spread around work, car, and home from shoes, clothing, hair and other objects with tiny drops of mercury metal on them.