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Mercury, (HG) is a most unusual metal. It is the only common metal that occurs as a liquid at room temperature. This bright silvery, dense liquid- formerly known as quicksilver- has long held the fascination of people. Children sometimes play with the mercury from a broken thermometer, often with tragic results. Mercury vapor is hazardous. An open container or a few droplets spilled on the floor can put enough mercury vapor into the air to exceed the established maximum safety level by a factor of 200. Mercury presents a hazard to those who work with it. Dentists use it to make analgams for filling teeth. Laboratory workers use mercury and it's compo