Mercury is a metal that is liquid at room temperature and which can be toxic to humans and the environment. While mercury is a natural element that’s present in small amounts in our environment, it is present in some household items and used for industrial purposes. Knowing where you may find mercury is the first step to avoiding exposure and […]
Cadmium wasn’t discovered until the 19th century, when it quickly found use as a pigment that could produce bright yellows, oranges, and reds. Cadmium is still used in some pigments. But today it is also an important component of batteries, metal alloys, electroplating, solar panels, and plastic stabilizers. It’s kind of hard to imagine how we ever got along without […]
On Mount Olympus, Mercury is the Roman god with power over commerce and communication and all things speedy. Mercury is the fastest and smallest planet in the solar system and the closest to the sun. And here on Earth, mercury is a substance that can kill you. So it’s troubling to discover just how many items in your own home […]