mercury 1 iodide is a red chemical compound with the molecular formula HgI2. It is usually produced synthetically but can also be found in nature as the mineral coccinite.
It is a moderately active metal below hydrogen in the reactivity series. It reacts with some acids when they are hot, but not most cold acids. It also easily reacts with atmospheric hydrogen sulfide.
Unlike some other elements, mercury is liquid at ambient temperatures. This makes it an important part of many older thermometers and some fluorescent light bulbs, as well as certain electrical switches.
However, the toxicity of mercury has led to its removal from most clinical environments in favor of alcohol-filled or galinstan-filled devices. It is still used in certain scientific research applications and in dental amalgam material for tooth restorations.
Its toxicity is due to its ability to attach itself to small particles of matter, such as water molecules or DNA. As a result, it is widely found in contaminated waters and soils as methyl mercury.
Methyl mercury is a toxic chemical that can be absorbed by most organisms and is a known neurotoxin. It is particularly toxic to fish.
Symptoms of exposure to mercury are typically neurological. They include trembling, dizziness, loss of coordination, memory impairment and mental debility. It also causes stomach irritation and digestive tract damage.
