What uses of metallic (elemental) mercury in the home increase mercury exposure?
Any use of metallic (elemental) mercury in the home can be dangerous. A number of unsafe household uses have been identified. These include: • Sprinkling or spreading mercury in the house or car; • Mixing mercury with water or other liquids and using this mixture as a washing solution; • Burning mercury in candles for good luck (white magic); • Hobbies: heating mercury on a stove to purify gold or silver; • Using metallic mercury, often sold under the name “azogue”, including placing it in a pouch worn around the neck, sprinkling it in the home, mixing it with bath water or perfume or placing it in devotional candles; • Folk remedies: ingesting mercury (azogue) to treat constipation, colic or stomach ache (empacho), or; • Playing with mercury as a novelty or carrying it as a charm. Q10. What types of workplace environments potentially increase mercury exposure? Workplaces and occupations that have a greater potential for elemental mercury exposure include: • Manufacturers of electric e
