80. Mercury: Fatally Toxic And Probably ...

Many episodes have incorporated geology, but this one is more about geography. (And amateur nuclear science.) 

Element 94 causes a bit of a crisis for our collections. 

To the person who said, "the episodes are never too long," I'm terribly sorry. 

When you think of mercury, what springs to mind? Is it the entrancing drop of shimmery liquid that flows from a broken thermometer, giving the metal the name quicksilver? Or is it the warnings of overconsumption of fish and bioaccumulation? Or perhaps it’s the Mad Hatter from Ali ... Show More

Joe and Fergus chat about all things mercury and find that there's much more to it than just thermometers! It's been used since ancient times - some thought it was the key to eternal life, despite its poisonous nature. Find out more in this week's episode. 

The most beautiful and shimmering of the elements, the weirdest, and yet the most reviled.Chemist Andrea Sella tell the story of Mercury, explaining the significance of this element not just for chemistry, but also the development of modern civilisation. It's been a a source of w ... Show More

Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Did you know that grills, yes, for your teeth, have been around for thousands of years? Or that most fillings have mercury in them, even now? It turns out that the history of oral hygiene is full of crazy stories. Get ready for a mythical toot ... Show More

Since the 1980s, Russian and US sources have repeatedly claimed that various groups of terrorists are dangerously close to acquiring a mysterious substance known as 'red mercury.' But what exactly is this stuff -- and why can't anyone agree about its chemical makeup, uses, or eff ... Show More

How dangerous were the cosmetic habits of medieval women? Let's just say you won't find mercury foundation or potions of liquid gold at your nearest Macy's. Welcome to part 4 of Eleanor Herman's Poison Chronicles, inspired by her book The Royal Art of Poison.Learn more about The ... Show More

This episode, our first foray into toxic metals, is heavy in all kinds of ways - metallically, emotionally, informationally, politically. Lead poisoning has been around for about as long humans have been working with lead, but despite its extensive history, it still poses an incr ... Show More

<div><span class= "author-d-1gg9uz65z1iz85zgdz68zmqkz84zo2qowz82zpfz80zz75zz76zz88znwz72zz80zz89zz82zg1z84zvz79zz81zrl5z84zz90zz86zxlgz73zz76zn"> Mercury toxicity can impact the nervous system, brain, thyroid, contribute to inflammation, and much more... </span></div> <div> </div ... Show More

Here in the modern day, most people don’t love going to the dentist — but we still have it much better than the dental patients of yesteryear! In today's classic episode, we join the guys as they dive into a strange, grisly story from the early days of dentistry.See omnystudio.co ... Show More

It's no secret that kids do all sorts of dumb things -- but have you ever swallowed a live goldfish? If so, you're not alone. In fact, it wasn't so long ago that hundreds of college students across the United States began gulping live goldfish by the dozens. Tune in to learn why. ... Show More