Mercury ( Hydrargyrum)
Atomic number: 80
Symbol: Hg
Discovery: Known to the ancient Hindus and Chines. Mercury has been found in Egyptian tombs dating to 1500 B.C.
Properties: Mercury and its compounds are highly poisonous. It is readily absorbed across unbroken skin or the respiratory or gatroinstentinal tract. It acts as a cumulative poison.
Reference 1. http://ezp.tccd.edu:2134/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=ae082b2f-0d0b-4f2c-9bf8-b62fb3fadae0%40sessionmgr10&vid=6&hid=12
Reference 2. http://ezp.tccd.edu:2134/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=ae082b2f-0d0b-4f2c-9bf8-b62fb3fadae0%40sessionmgr10&vid=6&hid=12
Mercury is natural in our earth. Lot of coal burning power plants have to monitor the level of mercury being released in the environment. Also any company that is digging or strip mining need to be very carefully about Mercury leaching into the ponds.
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