Mercury (Hg)

A Heavy Metal. It is introduced into the environment in particular during smelting, incineration processes and industrial processes, and together with products (e.g. Batteries). Inhaled mercury vapor (causes nerve damage) and certain compounds of mercury are particularly injurious to human health. Problems are also associated with the completion of the transformation of inorganic mercury into high toxic methyl mercury in living organisms (e.g. fish).