Mercury like lead is hazardous if ingested. It causes neurological problems and is not excreted from the body so exposure is cumulative. Given the same precautions in handling as lead for casting, and the additional problem of it being liquid there should not be a great risk in its use. However, if you use it like Hoppes #9 for routine cleaning you will greatly increase your exposure.

For most of our lifetime mercury was used to make the silver amalgam to fill our dental cavities. Silver becomes suspended in the mercury which makes it flow. the amalgam was put into the teeth and upon sitting the mercury separated and was removed by pressure and vacuum. Mercury has a similar effect on gold and lead. Life time exposure from dental use was not seen as hazardous; however, most of the dental profession has moved to mercury free fillings.

IMHO, if you have some use it carefully and only when leading is severe. If you do not have any give kroil and Lewis lead removal system a try.

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Revolver luvin' Mountaineer