This blog is part of a series on chemical ingredients that are commonly used in consumer products.
Mercury is a naturally occurring element with a long history of industrial, scientific, and medicinal use. Despite its utility, mercury is a highly toxic substance associated with serious health and environmental risks. As a known neurotoxin, its presence in consumer products — even in trace amounts — can be hazardous.
Mercury is among the many harmful ingredients we prohibit in Green Seal-certified products to ensure products meet a high standard for protecting people and the planet.
Here, we’ll explore what mercury is, how it’s commonly used, and steps consumers can take to limit exposure.
What is Mercury?
Mercury is a unique heavy metal, in that it is a liquid at room temperature. In addition to elemental mercury, this metal exists in the environment as both inorganic mercury compounds and organic mercury compounds such as methylmercury. Each form varies in toxicity, environmental persistence, and exposure risk.
Historically, mercury has been used in a wide range of applications — from early medical treatments and thermometers to modern electronics and lighting. Its high density, electrical conductivity, and ability to form amalgams with other metals make it particularly valuable in technical fields. However, the same properties that make mercury useful also contribute to its potential for harm. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, and its bioaccumulative nature allows it to persist in ecosystems and enter the food chain.
Mercury in Consumer Products
Although regulatory restrictions have significantly reduced mercury’s use, it still appears in several everyday items. Elemental mercury is commonly found in older batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats, and certain medical devices such as thermometers and blood pressure monitors. Mercury compounds may also be present in dental amalgams and antiseptics. This heavy metal also lurks in less obvious places, both as a functional ingredient and as a contaminant. For instance, you may find mercury in consumer products such as cleaning agents, skin lightening creams, toothpaste, bar soaps, gel dishwashing detergents, and even bleached paper and packaging products.
The Health Risks of Mercury
Exposure to mercury, even in small amounts, can have serious health consequences. Mercury targets the central nervous system and kidneys, and is especially harmful to developing fetuses and young children. Neurological symptoms of mercury exposure may include tremors, memory loss, cognitive impairment, and motor dysfunction. Prolonged exposure can also affect cardiovascular and immune health.
Mercury can enter the body through inhalation of vapors, ingestion of contaminated food or products, or through skin absorption. Once absorbed, mercury can accumulate in tissues and remain in the body for extended periods, increasing long-term health risks. In addition to direct consumer exposure, mercury is released from industrial emissions, improper disposal of mercury-containing products, and natural events such as volcanic eruptions.
Reducing Your Exposure
While global and national regulations have reduced the prevalence of mercury in manufacturing, you can further reduce your exposure to this heavy metal by:
- Choosing cleaning and personal care products certified by trusted third parties, such as Green Seal, which screen formulations for heavy metals and other hazardous ingredients.
- Avoiding uncertified personal care and household products that lack full ingredient transparency or originate from unregulated markets.
- Properly disposing of products containing mercury by following local hazardous waste disposal guidelines.