Would anyone be able to help me regarding mercury?

[RTH]

Hello all,
Would anyone be able to help me with a few different questions I have about mercury? I'm looking at the feasibility of purchasing a small amount of elemental mercury and would appreciate if anyone could give me some direction.

On the internet, there seems to be a range of widely differing opinions, some say that it is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs, while others seem to take a more relaxed approach and say it it fine as long as you remain sensible around it, and that it even can be touched as long as you do not have any wounds on your hands (NileRed).

I understand that it is not really sensible to go around inhaling large amounts of it, however is a small amount of elemental mercury alright if it is used in a well ventilated space? I have also been struggling on where to find a place to purchase it in a sensible quantity - could anyone help me with that?

Sorry if this topic has been raised before.
Many thanks in advance
RTH

 

[Vanadium 50]

It's dangerous. Especially if you have to ask.

 

[Bystander]

Annddd, the purpose would be?

 

[RTH]

Yes, I think you are probably right , admittedly I'm not qualified, however from some research I did I understood it wasn't going to kill me outright or harm me if I was careful with it, however the varying opinions made me want to check.

 

[RTH]

Annddd, the purpose would be?

Element collection - basically something along the lines of this but without the ampoule.

 

[russ_watters]

I mean, if all you wanted to do was store it in a little jar to look at, no big deal, but otherwise it depends on the very specific details of what you want to do with it. Any sort of handling is not advised.

 

[RTH]

Yes

I mean, if all you wanted to do was store it in a little jar to look at, no big deal, but otherwise it depends on the very specific details of what you want to do with it. Any sort of handling is not advised.

Yes, that's basically it - maybe float some other metal in it.

Kind regards,
RTH

 

[berkeman]

Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...

 

[jedishrfu]

A consensus of mentors feel that what you are looking into is very dangerous and potentially life threatening. We recommend you not to investigate further and have locked this thread due to liability issues for PF.

Having said that, this thread will remain closed and may be deleted at a later time to deter others from doing similarly dangerous things with mercury.

In Texas, there was a student who managed to acquire some mercury and through mishandling created quite a mess:

https://www.lubbockonline.com/story...ssa-student-takes-mercury-school/15050240007/

and this article about industrial cases:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2702399/

Jedi