Elemental mercury - HPS Guidance Note

Elemental mercury exists as a silvery liquid and an odourless vapour at room tempera​ture. Its wide variety of uses means that accidents resulting in mercury contamination are not uncommon.

This guidance is aimed at Local Health Authorities, and gives information on:

• ​the health risks associated with contamination at low and high exposures
• laboratory investigations of suspected cases
• best practice principles for giving advice
• post decontamination monitoring
• waste minimisation
• the legislative position concerning the disposal of mercury​