No, plants don't grow inside liquid mercury itself, but mercury does show up in soil where some plants absorb tiny amounts of it.
Which foods contain mercury?
The fish with the most mercury are big predatory ones like swordfish, shark, tilefish, king mackerel, bigeye tuna, marlin, orange roughy, and Chilean sea bass.
These fish build up mercury over time because they eat smaller fish that have soaked up mercury from their surroundings. The U.S. EPA and FDA tell pregnant women, women who might get pregnant, nursing moms, and little kids to skip these fish completely. Everyone else should limit themselves to one serving per month at most. If you catch your own fish, always check local advisories—the mercury levels can change from one spot to another.
Do food manufacturers add mercury on purpose?
No one adds mercury to food on purpose, but you can find trace amounts in soil, water, and the environment from both natural and industrial sources.
Those tiny amounts usually aren’t dangerous, but pollution from factories or farm runoff can push mercury levels higher. In rare cases, mercury has turned up in rice grown in dirty soil or in eggs from chickens breathing polluted air. The smartest move? Eat from trusted sources, mix up your diet, and follow local food safety tips.
Does soil ever contain mercury?
Yep, mercury shows up in soil, usually as inorganic salts from natural deposits or human activities like factory smoke and waste dumps.
Mercury lands in soil when it falls from the air, when mercury-rich rocks break down, or when we mine, burn coal, or use certain fertilizers. Plants can soak up a little of this mercury, which is why farmers in some areas test their soil. The EPA keeps an eye on mercury in soil to keep food and water safe.
Are there plants that grow in mercury?
No plants grow inside liquid mercury, but there’s a weedy plant called “mercury” in the genus Mercurialis.
This plant has nothing to do with the metal—its name comes from the Roman god Mercury because it grows fast. Annual mercury (Mercurialis annua) is a common weed in Europe, Asia, and North America. It pops up in disturbed spots like gardens and roadsides, but it’s not linked to the toxic metal at all.
Is annual mercury poisonous?
Annual mercury (Mercurialis annua) is poisonous to humans and livestock if eaten in big doses.
It packs alkaloids and saponins that can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney irritation. Back in the day, people used it as a medicine to purge the system, but modern doctors say steer clear. Livestock have gotten sick after grazing on it, and pets shouldn’t be allowed near it either. If you’ve got this plant in your yard, keep kids and pets away.
Can plants survive mercury exposure?
Mercury is toxic to most plants, even in small doses.
Plants pull mercury from dirty soil or water, and it can stunt growth, block photosynthesis, and wreck root systems. Water plants soak up more methylmercury (the organic kind) than land plants, and that’s especially bad because methylmercury builds up as it moves up the food chain. In really contaminated spots, crops like rice and leafy greens may grow poorly or yield less. The EPA sets limits for mercury in farm soil to protect both plants and people.
What foods are safe from mercury?
The safest low-mercury foods include shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, catfish, plus most fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy.
Plant foods like rice, wheat, and leafy greens usually have almost no mercury unless they’re grown in super-polluted soil. Fruits such as apples, berries, and citrus typically have undetectable levels. If you’re worried about mercury, just eat a balanced mix of these low-mercury foods. Skip the high-mercury fish and pick younger, smaller fish to cut your intake even more.
Do eggs carry mercury?
Yes, eggs usually have very low mercury—around 0.312 to 0.375 micrograms per egg.
That’s nothing to stress over, even if you eat eggs often. Mercury gets into eggs when hens eat tainted feed or live in polluted spots. Studies show most of the mercury ends up in the yolk, not the white or shell. Unless hens live near a major pollution source, egg mercury stays tiny. The FDA says store-bought eggs are safe to eat.
Is rice loaded with mercury?
Rice can have noticeable mercury levels, especially the inorganic kind, no matter how clean the growing area is.
A 2023 study in Science of the Total Environment found rice soaks up mercury from soil even in places with little industry. Brown rice tends to have more mercury than white rice because it keeps the outer bran. Rinse rice well before cooking, and try basmati or jasmine—those usually absorb less. The EPA suggests testing rice in spots with a history of industrial pollution.
Is owning a mercury thermometer against the law?
In most U.S. states, buying or selling mercury fever thermometers is now illegal, and federal calibration services ended in 2024.
By 2026, 23 states have banned consumer mercury thermometers, and big stores have pulled them nationwide. The National Institute of Standards and Technology stopped calibrating them in 2024, so accurate replacements are nearly impossible to find. Digital and infrared thermometers are safer, more accurate, and easy to get. If you still have an old mercury thermometer, call your local hazardous waste service to recycle it safely.
Why is mercury dangerous to people?
Mercury is nasty stuff—especially methylmercury and mercury vapor—which attack the nervous system.
Breathing mercury vapor can cause shakes, mood swings, insomnia, and trouble thinking. Long-term exposure may also harm your kidneys and hurt kids’ development. Methylmercury in contaminated fish is extra scary because it slips past the blood-brain barrier and the placenta, threatening a baby’s brain before birth. The WHO lists mercury as one of the top ten chemicals that threaten public health.
Is touching mercury safe?
Briefly touching liquid mercury won’t usually hurt your skin, but breathing its vapor is way riskier.
Elemental mercury doesn’t soak through healthy skin easily, so a tiny spill on your hand isn’t a big deal. The real problem? Mercury evaporates at room temperature, releasing invisible, odorless fumes you can inhale. Those vapors are the real danger, especially for kids, pregnant women, and pets. If you find a spill, don’t vacuum or sweep it—open windows, stay away, and call your local environmental health office or poison control right away.
How long does mercury stick around in soil?
Mercury can hang out in soil for decades, especially the organic methylmercury form, which lasts 20 years or longer.
Inorganic mercury can cycle between soil and air for up to two years before settling back down. Methylmercury, made by bacteria in soggy soils like rice paddies, clings tightly to organic matter and barely breaks down. That’s why rice grown in dirty soil can stay loaded with mercury long after the pollution source is gone. The EPA suggests testing and cleaning up soil in known mercury hot spots.
Does mercury vapor just disappear?
Mercury vapor doesn’t vanish quickly—it can float in the air for months or even a year.
Once it escapes from a spill or broken device, mercury evaporates into a vapor that lingers. It’s invisible and odorless, so you might breathe it in without noticing. Unlike gases that react and fade, mercury vapor just hangs around until it condenses and lands on surfaces or in water. Good airflow and professional cleanup are key to cutting exposure. The CDC says skip mercury in homes—it’s just too risky.
How exactly does mercury poison you?
Mercury is toxic in every form—liquid metal, inorganic salts, and organic methylmercury—but how you’re exposed changes how dangerous it is.
Breathing mercury vapor hurts your lungs, kidneys, and brain. Swallowing inorganic mercury salts can irritate your gut. Methylmercury, made by bacteria in water and soil, piles up in fish and seafood and hits the nervous system hard, especially in kids and babies. Your body can’t flush mercury fast, so repeated exposure adds up. The CDC and WHO urge everyone—especially pregnant women and little kids—to avoid mercury whenever possible.
