The unique physical and chemical properties of the metallic mercury pre-determine its wide application in various industries.
It is used as an agent, catalyst, electrodes to produce chlorine and caustic soda, pesticides, anti-fouling paints, amalgams for the extraction of precious metals (specifically, gold) as well as in various instruments (thermometers, barometers, etc.) and electrical engineering products (mercury batteries, fluorescent lamps, etc.). All the fluorescent lamps used just in the territory of Russia only contain more than 500 tons of metallic mercury.
