## EPA basic information about mercury https://www.epa.gov/mercury/basic-information-about-mercury status 200 content-type text/html; charset=UTF-8 length 69950 ---snippets--- y connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Please click here to see any active alerts . Basic Information about Mercury On this page: What is mercury? Emissions of mercury into the air Common exposures to mercury Health effects associated with exposures to mercury Ecological effects of mercury exposure Consumer products that traditionally contain mercury What is Mercury? Mercury is a naturally-occurring chemical element found in rock in the earth's crust, including in deposits of coal. On the periodic table, it has the symbol "Hg" and its atomic number is 80. It exists in several forms: Elemental (metallic) mercury Inorganic mercury compounds Methylmercury and other organic compounds Elemental (Metallic) Mercury Elemental or metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white metal, historically referred to as quicksilver, and is liquid at room temperature. It is used in older thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs and some electrical switches. When dropped, elemental mercury breaks into smaller droplets which can go through small cracks or become strongly attached to certain materials. At room temperature, exposed elemental mercury can evaporate to become an invisible, odorless toxic vapor. If heated, it is a colorless, odorless gas.  Learn about how people are most often exposed to elemental mercury  and about the  adverse health effects that exposures to eleme cluding in deposits of coal. On the periodic table, it has the symbol "Hg" and its atomic number is 80. It exists in several forms: Elemental (metallic) mercury Inorganic mercury compounds Methylmercury and other organic compounds Elemental (Metallic) Mercury Elemental or metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white metal, historically referred to as quicksilver, and is liquid at room temperature. It is used in older thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs and some electrical switches. When dropped, elemental mercury breaks into smaller droplets which can go through small cracks or become strongly attached to certain materials. At room temperature, exposed elemental mercury can evaporate to become an invisible, odorless toxic vapor. If heated, it is a colorless, odorless gas.  Learn about how people are most often exposed to elemental mercury  and about the  adverse health effects that exposures to elemental mercury can produce . Elemental mercury is an element that has not reacted with another substance. When mercury reacts with another substance, it forms a compound, such as inorganic mercury salts or methylmercury. Inorganic Mercury In its inorganic form, mercury occurs abundantly in the environment, primarily as the minerals cinnabar and metacinnabar, and as impurities in other minerals. Mercury can readily combine with chlorine, sulfur, and other elements, and subsequently weather to form inorganic salts.  Inorganic mercury salts can be transported in water and occur in soil. ted, it is a colorless, odorless gas.  Learn about how people are most often exposed to elemental mercury  and about the  adverse health effects that exposures to elemental mercury can produce . Elemental mercury is an element that has not reacted with another substance. When mercury reacts with another substance, it forms a compound, such as inorganic mercury salts or methylmercury. Inorganic Mercury In its inorganic form, mercury occurs abundantly in the environment, primarily as the minerals cinnabar and metacinnabar, and as impurities in other minerals. Mercury can readily combine with chlorine, sulfur, and other elements, and subsequently weather to form inorganic salts.  Inorganic mercury salts can be transported in water and occur in soil. Dust containing these salts can enter the air from mining deposits of ores that contain mercury. Emissions of both elemental or inorganic mercury can occur from coal-fired power plants, burning of municipal and medical waste, and from factories that use mercury. Inorganic mercury can also enter water or soil from the weathering of rocks that contain inorganic mercury salts, and from factories or water treatment facilities that release water contaminated with mercury. Although the use of mercury salts in consumer products, such as medicinal products, have been discontinued, inorganic mercury compounds are still being widely used in skin lightening soaps and creams. Mercuric chloride is used in photography and as a topical antiseptic a es with the Environment (pdf) (10.57 MB) National Park Service (NPS): Effects of Air Toxics/Mercury on Ecosystems U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): Mercury in the Environment Volume VI, Ecological Assessment, and Volume VII, Characterization of Human Health and Wildlife Risks, of the 1997 Mercury Study Report to Congress . Consumer Products that Traditionally Contain Mercury Some batteries Fluorescent light bulbs, including compact fluorescents (CFLs) Many types of thermometers Thermostats Amalgam in dental fillings Thimerosal in vaccines Automotive switches Learn more about consumer products that contain mercury. Mercury Open Sidenav Menu Close Sidenav Menu Contact Us about Mercury Contact Us about Mercury to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Last updated on November 21, 2025 the height of a power-plant stack) The surrounding terrain The weather Depending on these factors, mercury in the atmosphere can be transported over a range of distances -- anywhere from a few feet from its source, to halfway around the globe -- before it is deposited in soil or water. Mercury that remains in the air for prolonged periods of time and travels across continents is said to be in the "global cycle." One major source of mercury emissions outside of the United States is  small-scale gold mining that occurs in many countries . Additional Resources EPA’s Report on the Environment – Mercury Emissions Mercury Study Report to Congress, Volume II: An Inv ## EPA health effects https://www.epa.gov/mercury/health-effects-exposures-mercury status 200 content-type text/html; charset=UTF-8 length 65110 ---snippets--- https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Please click here to see any active alerts . Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury Related Health Information for All Types of Mercury Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR): ToxFAQs for mercury Toxicological profile National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH): Mercury Mercury is a  neurotoxin neurotoxin A substance that is known or suspected to be poisonous to nerve tissue. . How someone's health may be affected by an exposure to mercury depends on a number of factors: The form of mercury (for example, methylmercury or elemental (metallic) mercury); The amount of mercury in the exposure; The age of the person exposed (unborn infants are the most vulnerable); How long the exposure lasts; How the person is exposed -- breathing, eating, skin contact, etc.; and The health of the person exposed. The effects of mercury exposure can be very severe, subtle, or may not occur at all, depending on the factors above.   Anyone with concerns about mercury exposure can consult their physician and/or their poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.   Note on Mercury and Cancer:  No human data currently tie mercury exposure to cancer, but the data available are limited. In very high doses, some forms of mercury have caused increases in several types of tumors in rats ancer, but the data available are limited. In very high doses, some forms of mercury have caused increases in several types of tumors in rats and mice. When EPA published its Cancer Guidelines in 2005 , the Agency concluded that environmental exposures to inorganic mercury and methylmercury are not likely to cause cancer in humans. Technical information about mercury and cancer is available in: Volume V of the 1997 Mercury Study Report to Congress ; and  IRIS Chemical Assessment Summaries for  elemental mercury (PDF)  and  methylmercury (PDF) .   On this page, you can learn more about health effects associated with the most common exposures to: Methylmercury Elemental (metallic) mercury Other mercury compounds   Methylmercury Effects on People of All Ages Exposure to methylmercury most commonly occurs when people eat kinds of fish and shellfish that have high levels of methylmercury in their tissues. Almost all people have at least small amounts of methylmercury in their bodies, reflecting the widespread presence of methylmercury in the environment. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data  show that most people have blood mercury levels below levels associated with possible health effects. Methylmercury, however, is a powerful neurotoxin, and people exposed to high levels may experience adverse health effects. If you are concerned about your exposure to methylmercury, you should consult your physician.  Possible symptoms of methylmercury poisoning may inc Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury Related Health Information for All Types of Mercury Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR): ToxFAQs for mercury Toxicological profile National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH): Mercury Mercury is a  neurotoxin neurotoxin A substance that is known or suspected to be poisonous to nerve tissue. . How someone's health may be affected by an exposure to mercury depends on a number of factors: The form of mercury (for example, methylmercury or elemental (metallic) mercury); The amount of mercury in the exposure; The age of the person exposed (unborn infants are the most vulnerable); How long the exposure lasts; How the person is exposed -- breathing, eating, skin contact, etc.; and The health of the person exposed. The effects of mercury exposure can be very severe, subtle, or may not occur at all, depending on the factors above.   Anyone with concerns about mercury exposure can consult their physician and/or their poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.   Note on Mercury and Cancer:  No human data currently tie mercury exposure to cancer, but the data available are limited. In very high doses, some forms of mercury have caused increases in several types of tumors in rats and mice. When EPA published its Cancer Guidelines in 2005 , the Agency concluded that environmental exposures to inorganic mercury and methylmercury are not likely to cause cancer in humans. Technical information about mercury and cancer physician.  Possible symptoms of methylmercury poisoning may include: Loss of peripheral vision; "Pins and needles" feelings, usually in the hands, feet, and around the mouth; Lack of coordination of movements;  Impairment of speech, hearing, walking; and/or Muscle weakness. Effects on Infants and Children Infants in the womb can be exposed to methylmercury when their mothers eat fish and shellfish that contain methylmercury. This exposure can adversely affect unborn infants' growing brains and nervous systems. These systems may be more vulnerable to methylmercury than the brains and nervous systems of adults are. Children exposed to methylmercury while they are in the womb can have impacts to their cognitive thinking, memory, attention, language, fine motor skills, and visual spatial skills. Additional Resources Guidelines for eating fish that contain mercury How people are most commonly exposed to methylmercury Technical summary of risk assessment for methylmercury in EPA's IRIS database Elemental (Metallic) Mercury Exposures to metallic mercury most often occur when metallic mercury is spilled, or when products that contain metallic mercury break, so that mercury is exposed to the air. If you are concerned about your exposure to metallic mercury, you should consult your physician. Metallic mercury mainly causes health effects when inhaled as a vapor where it can be absorbed through the lungs. Symptoms of prolonged and/or acute exposures include: Tremors; Emotional ch ## ATSDR mercury ToxFAQs https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=113&toxid=24 status 200 content-type text/html; charset=utf-8 length 256276 ---snippets--- rtal On This Page What is mercury? What happens to mercury in the environment? How can I be exposed to mercury? How can mercury affect my health? Can mercury cause cancer? Can I get a medical test to check for mercury? How can I protect myself and my family from mercury? For more information? ToxFAQs TM for Mercury Languages other than English Arabic Chinese French Haitian Korean Portuguese Spanish Vietnamese CAS#: 7439-97-6 PDF Version pdf icon [231 KB] What is mercury? Mercury is a naturally occurring element with a chemical symbol of Hg. Elemental mercury is a silver liquid at room temperature that can also evaporate into the air as a gas or become a solid at very low temperatures. It can combine with other substances to form solid compounds that are categorized into two groups: inorganic mercury salts and organic mercury compounds. Mercury and mercury compounds are odorless. Mercury is used in a number of industries and products. It is primarily used in the manufacture of electronics, fluorescent-lighting, and production of chlorine-caustic soda. It is also used in dental products (fillings), although uses in dentistry are being phased-out. Other historical uses of mercury (batteries; thermometers and other scientific and medical devices; electronic switches and lighting applications; paints and pigments; fungicides and pesticides) have been eliminated or drastically reduced. Top of Page What happens to mercury in the environment? Because mercu Page What is mercury? What happens to mercury in the environment? How can I be exposed to mercury? How can mercury affect my health? Can mercury cause cancer? Can I get a medical test to check for mercury? How can I protect myself and my family from mercury? For more information? ToxFAQs TM for Mercury Languages other than English Arabic Chinese French Haitian Korean Portuguese Spanish Vietnamese CAS#: 7439-97-6 PDF Version pdf icon [231 KB] What is mercury? Mercury is a naturally occurring element with a chemical symbol of Hg. Elemental mercury is a silver liquid at room temperature that can also evaporate into the air as a gas or become a solid at very low temperatures. It can combine with other substances to form solid compounds that are categorized into two groups: inorganic mercury salts and organic mercury compounds. Mercury and mercury compounds are odorless. Mercury is used in a number of industries and products. It is primarily used in the manufacture of electronics, fluorescent-lighting, and production of chlorine-caustic soda. It is also used in dental products (fillings), although uses in dentistry are being phased-out. Other historical uses of mercury (batteries; thermometers and other scientific and medical devices; electronic switches and lighting applications; paints and pigments; fungicides and pesticides) have been eliminated or drastically reduced. Top of Page What happens to mercury in the environment? Because mercury is a natur vironment? How can I be exposed to mercury? How can mercury affect my health? Can mercury cause cancer? Can I get a medical test to check for mercury? How can I protect myself and my family from mercury? For more information? ToxFAQs TM for Mercury Languages other than English Arabic Chinese French Haitian Korean Portuguese Spanish Vietnamese CAS#: 7439-97-6 PDF Version pdf icon [231 KB] What is mercury? Mercury is a naturally occurring element with a chemical symbol of Hg. Elemental mercury is a silver liquid at room temperature that can also evaporate into the air as a gas or become a solid at very low temperatures. It can combine with other substances to form solid compounds that are categorized into two groups: inorganic mercury salts and organic mercury compounds. Mercury and mercury compounds are odorless. Mercury is used in a number of industries and products. It is primarily used in the manufacture of electronics, fluorescent-lighting, and production of chlorine-caustic soda. It is also used in dental products (fillings), although uses in dentistry are being phased-out. Other historical uses of mercury (batteries; thermometers and other scientific and medical devices; electronic switches and lighting applications; paints and pigments; fungicides and pesticides) have been eliminated or drastically reduced. Top of Page What happens to mercury in the environment? Because mercury is a naturally occurring element, it can be found in the air, water, e environment due to industrial releases to air and water. Industrial releases to air have steadily decreased over the past few decades. Mercury does not break down in the environment. In air, mercury may spread far from where it was released. Mercury seldom appears as a silver liquid in the environment. In water, mercury can evaporate into the air. In soil, it can adhere (stick) to soil and sediments (dirt deposits at the bottom of bodies of water). One type of organic mercury compound called methylmercury can build up in plants and fish. Top of Page How can I be exposed to mercury? Most people are exposed to organic mercury compounds (typically methylmercury) in food (such as fish, seafood, rice) or to elemental mercury from dental fillings. Food is the most common form of exposure. Most people are not exposed to inorganic mercury salts. Industrial and dental workers who use mercury are primarily exposed to elemental mercury. Some cultures use mercury in traditional medicines or religious practices, although this is not recommended or approved for use in the United States. Top of Page How can mercury affect my health? Mercury can affect the nervous system and kidneys. The health effects from exposure to mercury depend on a number of factors including the amount and form of mercury, route and length of exposure, and age. All forms of mercury can affect the nervous system and the kidneys. Workers exposed to elemental mercury vapor and people who eat foods with h ## NPS Fresnel lens https://www.nps.gov/articles/fresnellens.htm status 200 content-type text/html;charset=UTF-8 length 32228 ---snippets--- n official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Skip to global NPS navigation Skip to the main content Skip to the footer section National Park Service Search Search This Site All NPS Exiting nps.gov Cancel Contact Us The Fresnel Lens Fresnel lens and view from Bodie Island Lighthouse National Park Service Developed by French physicist Augustin Jean-Fresnel in the early 1820s, the Fresnel lens revolutionized lighthouses throughout the world. Its deceptively simple design meant that light could travel much farther from a lighthouse beam than with a conventional lens. Six types of Fresnel lenses were manufactured for lighthouses in the 1800s, sixth-order, fifth-order, fourth-order, third-order, second-order, and first-order, each one improving upon the other in terms of beam power and range. In short, a Fresnel lens is much thinner than a conventional lens, using prisms to refract light to the center of the lens, where it is concentrated into a powerful beam. The first Bodie Island Lighthouse, completed in 1847, used Argand reflector lamps until 1854, less powerful than a Fresnel lens. In 1854, a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed, dramatically improving the range of the beam. The second tower, completed in 1859, included a third-order Fresnel lens The Fresnel Lens (U.S. National Park Service) Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Skip to global NPS navigation Skip to the main content Skip to the footer section National Park Service Search Search This Site All NPS Exiting nps.gov Cancel Contact Us The Fresnel Lens Fresnel lens and view from Bodie Island Lighthouse National Park Service Developed by French physicist Augustin Jean-Fresnel in the early 1820s, the Fresnel lens revolutionized lighthouses throughout the world. Its deceptively simple design meant that light could travel much farther from a lighthouse beam than with a conventional lens. Six types of Fresnel lenses were manufactured for lighthouses in the 1800s, sixth-order, fifth-orde ## EPA ASGM mercury-free gold mining https://www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/artisanal-and-small-scale-gold-mining-without-mercury status 200 content-type text/html; charset=UTF-8 length 71484 ---snippets--- from UN Environment Seeking to learn about gold mining without mercury?  Check out this great new resource:  Illustrated Guide to Mercury Free Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining , developed by UN Environment. Mercury-Free Concentration Methods   Gravity Concentration Methods Panning Sluicing Shaking Tables Spiral Concentrators Vortex Concentrators Centrifuges Other Concentration Methods Magnets Flotation Gold Recovery Direct Smelting Chemical Leaching Resources In many countries, elemental mercury is used in artisanal and small-scale gold mining . Mercury is mixed with gold-containing materials, forming a mercury-gold amalgam which is then heated, vaporizing the mercury to obtain the gold.  This process can be very dangerous and lead to significant mercury exposure and health risks. In some jurisdictions, mercury use may be illegal or restricted in certain ways. The Minamata Convention on Mercury , a global agreement for reducing mercury pollution, recognizes the risks of using mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, and calls upon nations to reduce, and where feasible eliminate mercury use in this sector. Although many miners use mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, it is possible to safely and economically recover gold without it. Mercury-free techniques are safer for miners, their families and local communities.  They may also help miners market their gold at higher prices.  Many artisanal and small-scale miners are achieving high rates of g g Resource from UN Environment Seeking to learn about gold mining without mercury?  Check out this great new resource:  Illustrated Guide to Mercury Free Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining , developed by UN Environment. Mercury-Free Concentration Methods   Gravity Concentration Methods Panning Sluicing Shaking Tables Spiral Concentrators Vortex Concentrators Centrifuges Other Concentration Methods Magnets Flotation Gold Recovery Direct Smelting Chemical Leaching Resources In many countries, elemental mercury is used in artisanal and small-scale gold mining . Mercury is mixed with gold-containing materials, forming a mercury-gold amalgam which is then heated, vaporizing the mercury to obtain the gold.  This process can be very dangerous and lead to significant mercury exposure and health risks. In some jurisdictions, mercury use may be illegal or restricted in certain ways. The Minamata Convention on Mercury , a global agreement for reducing mercury pollution, recognizes the risks of using mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, and calls upon nations to reduce, and where feasible eliminate mercury use in this sector. Although many miners use mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, it is possible to safely and economically recover gold without it. Mercury-free techniques are safer for miners, their families and local communities.  They may also help miners market their gold at higher prices.  Many artisanal and small-scale miners are achieving high Mercury Free Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining , developed by UN Environment. Mercury-Free Concentration Methods   Gravity Concentration Methods Panning Sluicing Shaking Tables Spiral Concentrators Vortex Concentrators Centrifuges Other Concentration Methods Magnets Flotation Gold Recovery Direct Smelting Chemical Leaching Resources In many countries, elemental mercury is used in artisanal and small-scale gold mining . Mercury is mixed with gold-containing materials, forming a mercury-gold amalgam which is then heated, vaporizing the mercury to obtain the gold.  This process can be very dangerous and lead to significant mercury exposure and health risks. In some jurisdictions, mercury use may be illegal or restricted in certain ways. The Minamata Convention on Mercury , a global agreement for reducing mercury pollution, recognizes the risks of using mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, and calls upon nations to reduce, and where feasible eliminate mercury use in this sector. Although many miners use mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, it is possible to safely and economically recover gold without it. Mercury-free techniques are safer for miners, their families and local communities.  They may also help miners market their gold at higher prices.  Many artisanal and small-scale miners are achieving high rates of gold recovery without mercury, benefiting their health, the health of their communities, and the environment.  On this page, we summ Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Without Mercury | US EPA Skip to main content Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Please click here to see any active alerts . Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Without Mercury New Mercury-Free Mining Resource from UN Environment Seeking to learn about gold mining without mercury?  Check out this great new resource:  Illustrated Guide to Mercury Free Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining , developed by UN Environment. Mercury-Free Concentration Methods   Gravity Concentration Methods Panning Sluicing Shaking Tables Spiral Concentrators Vortex Concentrators Centrifuges Other Concentration Methods Magnets Flo Methods Magnets Flotation Gold Recovery Direct Smelting Chemical Leaching Resources In many countries, elemental mercury is used in artisanal and small-scale gold mining . Mercury is mixed with gold-containing materials, forming a mercury-gold amalgam which is then heated, vaporizing the mercury to obtain the gold.  This process can be very dangerous and lead to significant mercury exposure and health risks. In some jurisdictions, mercury use may be illegal ## EPA reducing mercury from ASGM https://www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/reducing-mercury-pollution-artisanal-and-small-scale-gold-mining status 200 content-type text/html; charset=UTF-8 length 60591 ---snippets--- ble of capturing mercury at the emission source to reduce gold shop-related emissions from amalgam burning as a near-term option for reducing ASGM emissions. The resulting Mercury Capture System (MCS) was designed to provide a simple system that is highly effective in capturing mercury, and inexpensive and easy to construct using locally available materials. While complete elimination of mercury from ASGM is the ultimate goal, in the near-term significant emissions reductions can be achieved if mercury is captured during amalgam burns. By limiting the path of mercury release into the environment, the captured mercury can instead be redirected for re-use or appropriate storage and eventual disposal.   Please note: Since the initial rollout of the MCS, EPA is aware of other efforts to make even more efficient mercury capture systems and is seeking to better understand these efforts, with the hope of sharing that information in the future.   Contact For more information, please contact: Andrew Reighart U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of International and Tribal Affairs  (2610T) 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20460 Email: reighart.andrew@epa.gov International Cooperation Open Sidenav Menu Close Sidenav Menu Contact Us about International Cooperation Contact Us about International Cooperation to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Last updated on January 23, 2026   Mercury Capture System highlighted at Phys.org ,  a leading web-based science, research and technology news service.  Explore activities under the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership   Mercury has long been used in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) to extract gold from ore sediment and rock deposits. ASGM accounts for more than a third (38%) of all anthropogenic mercury emissions to the atmosphere, with most ASGM sector-related mercury emissions coming from the burning of mercury-gold amalgam. Around the world, tens of millions of workers engage in the ASGM sector, producing up to 20% of the world’s gold annually. Gold from the ASGM sector is sold into global supply chains to satisfy demand for jewelry, investment purposes, central bank reserves, and technology/electronics. More information on  Health Effects of Exposures to Mercury . Learn more about International Actions for Reducing Mercury Emissions and Use . A Focus on Gold Shops   Video: Learn how EPA's mercury capture system is helping reduce mercury in gold shops.   In many communities, gold shops are a key component linking miners and local traders to the ASGM gold supply chain. Gold shops play an important role in the artisanal gold production and commercial processes and are also commonly involved in mercury trade for use in ASGM.  Studies have found emissions from gold shops pose a major hazard both in terms of indoor concentrations and in the form of emissions to community residents in the vicinit Reducing Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining | US EPA Skip to main content Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Please click here to see any active alerts . Reducing Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Tools to Reduce Mercury from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Without Mercury : Explore  techniques to mine gold without using mercury. Gold Shop Mercury Capture System  (PDF) (1 pp, 207 K, About PDF ) , featured in the ASGM Community Library   (hosted by UN Environment) Watch a video   explaining how to reduce mercury emissions using the Mercury Capture System. Explore a Technology Demo ear-term option for reducing ASGM emissions. The resulting Mercury Capture System (MCS) was designed to provide a simple system that is highly effective in capturing mercury, and inexpensive and easy to construct using locally available materials. While complete elimination of mercury from ASGM is the ultimate goal, in the near-term significant emissions reductions can be achieved if mercury is captured during amalgam burns. By limiting the path of mercury release into the environment, the captured mercury can instead be redirected for re-use or appropriate storage and eventual disposal.   Please note: Since the initial rollout of the MCS, EPA is aware of other efforts to make even more efficient mercury capture systems and is seeking to better understand these efforts, with the hope of sharing that information in the future.   Contact For more information, please contact: Andrew Reighart U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of International and Tribal Affairs  (2610T) 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20460 Email: reighart.andrew@epa.gov International Cooperation Open Sidenav Menu Close Sidenav Menu Contact Us about International Cooperation Contact Us about International Cooperation to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Last updated on January 23, 2026 Reducing Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining | US EPA Skip to main content Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Please click here to see any active alerts . Reducing Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Tools to Reduce Mercury from Artisanal and Small-Scale ## USGS MCS 2026 PDF https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026.pdf status 200 content-type application/pdf length 17646709 ERROR FileNotFoundError(2, 'No such file or directory') ## Factly red mercury myth https://factly.in/red-mercury-is-a-myth-it-is-not-found-in-old-televisions-and-radios/ status 200 content-type text/html; charset=UTF-8 length 65504 ---snippets--- that some terrorist groups have tried to acquire the mythical ‘Red Mercury’ and have fallen prey to scams. The ‘BBC’ and ‘The New York Times’ have also published articles saying that the ‘Red Mercury’ is a myth. Those articles can be read here and here . In the ‘BBC’ article, it can be read that there is no chemical such as ‘Red Mercury’ but there is a red-coloured mercury-containing the ore – ‘Mercury Sulphide’. It is harmful ‘not because it’s highly explosive, but rather because plain old mercury is hazardous to human health’ In old televisions and other electronics, there is some content of mercury and other harmful chemicals but there is no trace of ‘Red Mercury’ (at least nobody found it till today). Also, there are various instances in the past where police arrested scammers who tried to dupe people by selling them the non-existent ‘Red Mercury’. Further information regarding those incidents can be found here , here and here . In 2009, a similar hoax went viral in Saudi Arabia that ‘Red Mercury’ can be found in old sewing machines. To sum it up, ‘Red Mercury’ in itself is a myth. It cannot be found in old televisions and radios. Did you watch our new video? Share. Twitter Facebook Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Previous Article Review: Standing Committee reiterates the need to encourage use of BharatNet Infrastructure Next Article Indian Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus portrayed as the Facebook India’s ‘Red Mercury’ is a myth. It is not found in old televisions and radios - FACTLY Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Subscribe A A A Twitter Facebook Reddit A message is being shared widely on social media with a claim that ‘Red Mercury’, a chemical which is used to manufacture nuclear weapons, can be found in old televisions and radios. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post. The archived version of the post can be found here . Claim: ‘Red Mercury’ can be found in old radios and televisions. Fact: ‘Red Mercury’ is a myth. In 2002 itself, an American official has said that there is no such thing as ‘Red Mercury’. He also said that some terrorist groups have tried to acquire the mythical ‘Red Mercury’ and have fallen prey to scams. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. When searched about ‘Red Mercury’ on the internet, a website link of ‘U.S. Department of State’ was found in the search results. On the website ‘Red Mercury’ is a myth. It is not found in old televisions and radios - FACTLY Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Subscribe A A A Twitter Facebook Reddit A message is being shared widely on social media with a claim that ‘Red Mercury’, a chemical which is used to manufacture nuclear weapons, can be found in old televisions and radios. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post. The archived version of the post can be found here . Claim: ‘Red Mercury’ can be found in old radios and televisions. Fact: ‘Red Mercury’ is a myth. In 2002 itself, an American official has said that there is no such thing as ‘Red Mercury’. He also said that some terrorist groups have tried to acquire the mythical ‘Red Mercury’ and have fallen prey to scams. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. When searched about ‘Red Mercury’ on the internet, a website link of ‘U.S. Department of State’ was found in the search results. On the website , the transcript of the speech given by John R