Is mercury poisoning possible from holding it for half a minute?

Question

I recall from science class a while back that the teacher once let us hold some mercury and pass it around the class. It just happened once.

Am I likely to sprout a third eye or anything when I'm 50, just so I know what to expect? Would this cause mercury poisoning?

Answer 1

nope. you need at least 32 seconds direct contact to die of poisoning.

Answer 2

This is very unlikely, as the mercury atoms are too big to pass through the skin. It's mercury COMPOUNDS that cause most mercury poisoning when ingested (eaten). However, if you were working with liquid mercury over a long period of time, you could get poisoned by the vapor. Like all liquids, mercury does evaporate (but extremely slowly). This is where the expression "mad as a hatter" came from - people who made felt hats long ago used liquid mercury in the process, and many became insane after many years of working with it. Handling a few drops for a few minutes is harmless.

Answer 3

no, handling mercury for a minute or two is not going to poison you. poisoning occurs over a long period of time, people usually ingest mercury without realizing it, from fish and other foods, and because the body cannot get rid of it, the levels build until you do have mercury poisioning.

Answer 4

You are refering to quicksilver mercury. It will not be absorbed by your skin. I'm told that even if you swallow it, it will pass through your body with no effect.

Answer 5

No. ~