Elemental Mercury isn&#x27;t especially dangerous though.  People freak out over the word &quot;Mercury&quot; but forms like that aren&#x27;t bioavailable for the most part and are reasonably safe.  I wouldn&#x27;t go breathing the fumes for extended periods of time, but holding a pool in your hand in science class isn&#x27;t going to kill you.<p>That&#x27;s why it&#x27;s a bit frustrating to read stories like this where the cleanup crew goes overboard and racks up tens of thousands of dollars worth of bills for a simple spill.