Mercury (Hg) and CompoundsCAS 7439-97-6

Elemental mercury vapor crosses the blood-brain barrier — fluorescent lamps and thermostats are the residential sources.

Other Toxic Metals substances:Lead Arsenic Cadmium Hexavalent Chromium Copper Organotin Compounds Dibutyltin Dilaurate

Building products and consumer items containing Toxic Metals family members

Mercury belongs to the Toxic Metals family — products shown above commonly contain one or more substances from this family

Toxic Chemical Databases

Substance-specific listings — these flags are for Mercury alone, not for the broader family.

LBC Red List

Listed

Prop 65

Listed

IARC

Listed

NTP RoC

Listed

GSPI

Not Listed

REACH SVHC

Listed

TSCA

Listed

Chemical Type

Heavy Metal — Potent Neurotoxicant

Chemical Description

Mercury exists in three toxicologically distinct forms: elemental (Hg⁰), inorganic (Hg²⁺), and organic (methylmercury). Each has different uptake routes and target tissues. Indoor exposure is dominated by elemental mercury vapor released from broken fluorescent lamps, older thermostats, and dental amalgam — Hg⁰ crosses the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in the CNS. Methylmercury exposure is dietary, primarily through predatory fish. All three forms are listed.

Biological Activity

Severity scores specific to this substance, NOT the parent family average. Differences between siblings are real and meaningful.

Neurological

10/10

Developmental

9/10

Reproductive

7/10

Liver/Kidney

8/10

Cardiovascular

6/10

Cancer

5/10

Endocrine

5/10

Immune

6/10

Skin

4/10

Respiratory

6/10

Top Health Consequences

Central nervous system toxicity — tremor, cognitive deficits, mood changes
Fetal neurodevelopmental toxicity from prenatal methylmercury exposure
Renal tubular damage from inorganic mercury
Indoor air contamination from broken fluorescent lamps
Three toxicologically distinct chemical forms

Pathways of Exposure

Inhalation of mercury vapor from broken fluorescent lamps indoors
Diet — methylmercury accumulation in predatory fish
Legacy thermostats and switches releasing vapor on damage
Dental amalgam (occupational exposure for dental staff)

Building Materials with Mercury

Listed alphabetically — product categories where this specific substance appears.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps & Linear Fluorescent Tubes
Legacy Mercury Switches
Legacy Mercury Thermostats (Pre-2000)

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