17th Dimension

Mercury is denoted by Hg, Hydragyrum acronym meaning liquid silver. Mercury is one metal element which is in group II B in the periodic system, with atomic number 80 and mass number of 200.59. Mercury produced naturally derived from ore processing, Cinabar, with oxygen (Palar, 1994).

The resulting mercury was used in the synthesis of inorganic compounds and organic compounds that contain mercury. In everyday life, mercury is in three basic forms, namely: metallic mercury, inorganic mercury and organic mercury

Metallic mercury is also known as the element mercury (mercury-element), a metallic form of mercury. This silver-colored metal. This type of mercury used in laboratory tools such as mercury thermometers, thermostats, spignometer, barometers and other. In general, metallic mercury has the following characteristics, Tangible liquid at room temperature (250C) with freezing point (-390C). Is the most volatile metals. It has a very low electrical resistance, so that is used as a good conductor of electricity. Can form alloys with other metals (also called amalgams)

Metallic mercury is used widely in industries, such as a cathode in the electrolysis of sodium chloride to produce kautik soda (NaOH) and chlorine gas. The metal is also used in the process of extraction of precious metals, especially gold extraction from ore, used also as a catalyst in the chemical industry as well as an anti-dull in the paint.

Metallic mercury can enter the human body through the respiratory tract. Broken mercury thermometer is one such example. When the thermometer breaks, most of the mercury evaporates into the air. Metallic mercury can be inhaled by humans who are nearby.

Eighty percent (80%) of mercury vapor is inhaled, absorbed by the lung alveoli. This metallic mercury into the human circulatory system with the aid of hydrogen peroxide and metallic mercury is converted into inorganic mercury.

The use of metallic mercury and the other most common is the dental amalgam. Dental amalgam contains 50% of the element mercury, 35% silver, 9% tin 6% copper and zinc. Amalgam fillings are used as dental cavities.

Amalgam fillings release microscopic particles and mercury vapor. Activities chew and drink hot foods and drinks that increase the frequency of loss of dental fillings. Mercury vapor will be absorbed by the roots of teeth, mucous membranes of the mouth and gums, and swallowed, then up to the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract.

Metallic mercury in the gastrointestinal tract will be converted to mercury sulfide and excreted through feces. Researchers from the University Of Calgari reported that 10% of mercury derived from amalgam eventually accumulate in the organs of the body (McCandless, 2003)

Metallic mercury is fat soluble and distributed throughout the body. Metallic mercury can penetrate the Blood-Brain barrier (B3) or the placenta barrier. Both are membrane covering the brain or fetus from the harmful compounds. Once through the Blood-Brain barrier, metallic mercury will accumulate in the brain. While the mercury through the placenta barrier which will damage the growth and development of the fetus.

Metallic Mercury Toxic Effects