Mercury in Schools and Homes

Mercury is a silvery liquid metal at room temperature. Mercury conducts electricity, expands uniformly with temperature and easily forms alloys with other metals. For these reasons, it is used in many products found in homes and schools. Mercury is also an element that occurs naturally in the earth's surface. It does not degrade and is not destroyed by combustion. Instead, mercury changes into a vapor that can travel long distances when volatilized. Mercury cycles between soils, the atmosphere and surface waters. Its toxicity can endanger living organisms and produce adverse health effects in humans.Mercury is an issue that you can do something about. For those who want an introduction on what you can do, explore Mercury in Schools and Mercury in Your Home. For those who want an expanded curriculum go to the National Curriculum.