Mercury Hg Atomic Number; 80 Atomic Mass: 200.59 Half life: 8.2min-520 yrs _______________________________________________________________________________ Forms: - Metallic mercury (elemental) and mercury vapor - Inorganic (chlorine, sulfur, oxygen) salts - Organic (carbon) e.g. methyl mercury (micro organisms - covert inorganic mercury to methyl mercury) Sources: - Tuna, other fish………… - Dental amalgams - Mercury from thermometers - Coal combustion - Vaccines containing thimergol Adverse Effects: - Neurotoxicity (tremors, inco-ordination, memory loss, decreased mentation) - Personality changes (irritability, shyness, nervousness) - Nephrotoxicity - Tachycardia, hypertension - More toxic in children, affects developing brain and nervous systems