CTenaLouise,
When I was at University, age about 24, my Prof. told me to make and study a compound bis(trimethylsilyl)mercury. This was very reactive, and a very unstable compound. I had to handle it very carefully since it was so unstable, that oxygen and light caused it to decompose into free radicals, trimethlsilyl radicals and free liquid mercury.
(Me3Si)2Hg----------> 2Me3Si. + Hg
I had to examine the reactions of this highly reactive free radical, to prove it was indeed a free radical and it was extremely dangerous.
I wrote a thesis of over 200 pages, fpr which I got a Ph.D, and probably PD,
These free radicals together with substantial amounts of free liquid mercury
were not recognised to be as toxic at that time, as we now know they are.
In addition, I have most teeth filled with mercury amalgam, and I hesitate to get them removed, since you suffer an enormous cloud of mercury when they are drilled out. I am doing so well with my current treatment,I hesitate to tempt fate and have them changed.
Ron