Remember the video clip of a guy tossing a cannonball into a pool of mercury? Well, here’s something even more amazing: a 1972 photo from the National Geographic magazine showing a man sitting on a pool of mercury.
(Photo: National Geographic)
skidworth
i remember that issue! the article stated that after he sat on the pool of Hg he had to turn his pockets inside/out to get the Hg out.
Barry
Liquid mercury is relatively safe. It’s the gaseous form that is dangerous because it can be inhaled directly into the bloodstream. If you break a mercury thermometer, scoop up the droplets. Vacuuming will just disperse the mercury as a fine mist into the room where it can be inhaled.
Alex
Quicksilver (liquid mercury) doesn’t get absorbed readily through the skin. I think the poison is in the form of mercury vapor.
ChemGuy
I just bought that issue from ebay just to read the article that went with that photo…great article about mercury circa 1972…
Kalel
I remember playing with mercury as a child… and now look at me, posting on Neatorama.
MisterDevious
Always wondered about that. A couple of times as a kid I’d break open a thermometer and play with the mercury, generally letting it roll around on a flat surface while I tilted it, but occasionally touching it. That explains the extra head, I guess.
Shish
Mercury is about as toxic as lead. Avoid eating it or breathing its vapor for long periods, and it’s sensible to wear gloves handling it and wash afterward, but there’s no need for panic – casual handling of mercury metal is not going to hurt you.
angstrom
Damn, all through my childhood I avoided touching mercury because adults told me how deadly it was.
I’m off to the mercury shop right now!
dgaicun
What if he stood on it so his weight was less distributed? Would he sink? What if he jumped up and down?
DOJ
I still wanna know if something like a basketball could roll on the surface or if it would just float
Gauldar
@dgaicun
I think he would have a high chance of slipping and get a concussion if he did that.
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