logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2021
22m 19s

80. Mercury: Fatally Toxic And Probably ...

T. R. Appleton
About this episode
Even if you hate tuna, have flawless teeth, and only use digital thermometers, humans have historically not been shy about getting a mouthful of mercury. 
Up next
Mar 2025
94. Plutonium: Weapons-Grade
Element 94 causes a bit of a crisis for our collections. 
30m 19s
Aug 2024
93. Neptunium: Great Expectations
To the person who said, "the episodes are never too long," I'm terribly sorry. 
1h 7m
Dec 2023
The Episodic Table Of Elements Holiday Special
Time for the most traditional holiday celebration: A science lesson. 
26m 47s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2020
S1E9 - Episode #9 - Mercury
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. 
33m 3s
Jun 2021
Ep 75 Mercury: The cost of progress
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
1h 22m
Oct 2021
Comment l'océan absorbe-t-il le mercure ?
Produit à la fois par la nature et par l'activité humaine, le mercure, métal très volatil, se répand dans l'atmosphère, d'où il passe, directement ou par l'intermédiaire des pluies ou de la végétation, dans les océans, et donc dans les poissons. D'où l'urgence de diminuer la conc ... Show More
1m 55s
May 2023
88: Poison in your mouth? Your teeth are toxic! | Dark History with Bailey Sarian
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
49m 2s
Jul 2017
Mercury - Chemistry's Jekyll and Hyde
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
30m 32s
Apr 2021
How To Tell If Mercury Toxicity Is The Cause Of Your Mysterious Symptoms with Dr. Elizabeth Boham
How To Tell If Mercury Toxicity Is The Cause Of Your Mysterious Symptoms | This episode is sponsored by ButcherBox and Kettle & Fire Changes in environmental mercury levels have been dramatic in recent decades; industrial exposure to mercury is significant and mostly comes from c ... Show More
56m 25s
Apr 2019
The Evolution of Teeth
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss theories about the origins of teeth in vertebrates, and what we can learn from sharks in particular and their ancestors. Great white sharks can produce up to 100,000 teeth in their lifetimes. For humans, it is closer to a mere 50 and most of those ... Show More
49m 15s
Mar 2021
Exploding Teeth
For roughly a century, from the 1860s to the 1960s, numerous people reported the same bizarre medical malady: horrible toothaches that didn't end until the offending molars exploded — inside their mouths. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
34m 56s