How is mercury used?
Mercury has been and is still used in a variety of consumer products. Most adults are familiar with mercury thermometers and blood pressure monitors. Historically, it was used in household batteries and as a paint preservative, but these common consumer uses were discontinued or severely restricted in the 1990s. Unfortunately, at the same time, some automobile manufacturers began using mercury switches for trunk and hood lights and in some anti-lock braking. This practice was discontinued in 2003, after mercury switches had been installed in millions of cars. Mercury switches are also used in household appliances, such as some clothes washers and dryers. In addition to thermometers, mercury can still be found in fluorescent lamps and some dental fillings, skin lightening creams, and antiseptic creams and ointments. In industry, one of the main uses of mercury is to produce chlorine. The Occidential Chemical (OxyChem) facility in Delaware City used to produce chlorine using mercury but
