Amongst those that believe in its existence, Red Mercury is believed to be a substance that, if added to a conventional explosive, would create a nuclear bomb. The word cinnabar comes from the Persian word for 'dragon's blood'. The major risks associated with Red Mercury are the same as those associated with conventional explosives. One thing they have in common is that they are all toxic. Overexposure to mercury, mercurialism, was seen as an occupational disease to the ancient Romans. "[29], Cinnabar has been used for its color since antiquity in the Near East, including as a rouge-type cosmetic,[27] in the New World since the Olmec culture, and in China for writing on Oracle bones as early as the Zhou dynasty. MERCURY AMALGAMGold fragment and a 0.05 inch sphere of mercury. Furthermore, as mentioned, mercury is also capable of re-emissions from water and soil surfaces. Early metal workers and alchemists considered the affinity between mercury and sulphur in … Red Mercury Importers. References to red mercury first appeared in major Soviet and western media sources in the late 1980s. It … In an autobiography, Samuel Cohen, an American physicist and Manhattan Project veteran, claimed that Red Mercury was manufactured through the radioactive bombardment of a small amount of a “special mixture” of nuclear material contained in “ordinary material”. Even if no structural damage were to occur in an attack involving Red Mercury, it would likely give rise to conspiracy theories and lasting unwanted attention. Cohen claimed that bombs manufactured with this substance could be manufactured at any size, and that this would make any efforts to control nuclear proliferation redundant. A number of non-state actor groups have tried to source Red Mercury, which means they are also likely to attempt alternative methods to develop a nuclear weapon. [27] Because of its mercury content, cinnabar can be toxic to human beings. Late in the Song dynasty it was used in coloring lacquerware. The burning of coal, oil and wood as fuel can cause mercury to become … Read the bulletin in full. We also highlight well established mercury related health effects due to acute and low-dose chronic exposure. It was dangerous to those who mined and processed cinnabar; it caused shaking, loss of sense, and death. Despite the incident not involving a hazardous material, an unrelated bridge collapse, which took place at the same time, gave rise to a persistent conspiracy theory that Red Mercury was responsible. It is a high grade & perfectly composed Pure Red Liquid Mercury 20/20. Avoiding Contact with Liquid Mercury Replace devices that contain mercury. [23] During the Roman Empire it was mined both as a pigment,[24][25] and for its mercury content. The rapid spinning, combined with the highly charged electrostatic tube, created anti-gravity propulsion that powered spaceships to considerable heights and rates of travel. In 2017, several roads in Atlanta, Georgia were shut down following reports that an individual had walked into the offices of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission claiming to have Red Mercury on his person and wanting to know what it could do. [21], As the most common source of mercury in nature,[22] cinnabar has been mined for thousands of years, even as far back as the Neolithic Age. Some people think red mercury is extremely explosive and can be used to trigger a fusion reaction in a tritium or deuterium-tritium mixture. Osama bin Laden was reportedly taken in by a hoax in the 1990s trying to secure a supply, and in 2014, the Islamic State began reaching out to its contacts in an attempt to secure some of the substance. In addition, HgS is found in a black, non-cinnabar polymorph (metacinnabar) that has the zincblende structure. A dirty bomb is a likely outcome of a group attempting to use Red Mercury to create such a weapon, as scammers who report to sell the product will often incorporate limited quantities of radioactive materials to increase the veracity of their claims. This would generate significant business disruption and spread fear. According to some journals, red mercury is a cherry red liquid produced by irradiating mercury antimony oxide with elemental mercury in a Russian nuclear reactor. Homeland Security, the police, a bomb squad, firefighters and a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team were called to the scene to investigate. In the 1970s, a supposedly top-secret nuclear material began appearing on the international arms black market labelled as “red” due to its purported association with the Soviet Union. [5] References and sources … Online, numerous sources claim to be able to secure a supply, and many websites claim to sell it. It has been found in Dominica near its sulfur springs at the southern end of the island along the west coast. These include the most likely candidate, lithium-6 deuteride, a radioactive isotope of lithium hydride that is used as a fuel in a specific design of nuclear warheads. [4], Cinnabar generally occurs as a vein-filling mineral associated with recent volcanic activity and alkaline hot springs. Once you’ve identified … In 2012, the UN reported that the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a Rwandan militant group operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, had attempted to sell uranium, radium, and Red Mercury. The urban myths and legends surrounding Red Mercury likely originated during the Cold War and grew in popularity and scope following the fall of the Soviet Union. Red Devil was named after the Red Devil cinnabar mine, a primary source of mercury. The resulting product would be a “remarkable non-exploding high explosive” capable of creating a briefcase-sized fusion bomb. If Earth were the size of a nickel, Mercury would be about as big as a blueberry. Alkali and metal processing, incineration of coal, and medical and other waste, and mining of gold and mercury contribute greatly to mercury concentrations in some areas, but atmospheric deposition is the dominant source of mercury over most of the landscape. Contrary to what is being portrayed on social media platforms, red mercury is not a hidden treasure but a source of countless rumors and myths that have persisted for decades. According to some reports, red mercury is a cherry-red semi-liquid that is produced by irradiating elemental mercury with mercury antimony oxide in a Russian nuclear reactor. Additionally, several alleged Red Mercury traders have claimed to have access to weapons grade uranium and plutonium, which can be used to develop a dirty bomb. The articles were never specific as to what exactly red mercury was, but nevertheless claimed it was of great importance in nuclear bombs, or that it was used in the building of boosted fission weapons. As long as you avoid these higher sources of mercury, the benefits of eating fish far outweigh the risks of mercury in fish. Methylmercury then works its way up the food chain, from small organisms to fish and shellfish, accumulating in their tissue. After witnessing this exchange, an astonished Prof Wynn discovered this was not a new experience for Dr Hawass and … Cinnabar would yield up its mercury simply on heating in a crucible, and the metal fascinated people because it … The panic generated by a substance such as Red Mercury has the potential to cause a significant risk to businesses. Pure mercury separates from sulfur in this process and easily evaporates. Active Volcano. Mercury is a natural liquid element found in small amounts in rocks. [citation needed], Two female mummies dated A.D. 1399 to 1475 found in Cerro Esmeralda in Chile in 1976 had clothes colored with cinnabar. Here we demonstrate that mercury exposure occurs through multiple routes and that individuals can reduce significant exposure from sources like artisanal gold mining, fish consumption and proximity to mining activities. However, there are those, such as American physicist and Manhattan Project veteran Samuel Cohen, who claim it is real. Almost as soon as the stories appeared, people started attempting to buy it. The perpetuation of the myth has resulted in a number of militant groups attempting to secure a supply of Red Mercury. Some people think that red mercury is so explosive that it can be used to trigger a fusion reaction in tritium or a deuterium-tritium mixture. The IAEA says it doesn't exist. [31], The most popularly known use of cinnabar is in Chinese carved lacquerware, a technique that apparently originated in the Song dynasty. [25]:XLI, To produce liquid mercury (quicksilver), crushed cinnabar ore is roasted in rotary furnaces. From this distance, it takes sunlight 3.2 minutes to trave… S-RM is a global risk consultancy providing intelligence, resilience and response solutions to clients worldwide. The soluble ones are more toxic than the insoluble ones. [26], Associated modern precautions for use and handling of cinnabar arise from the toxicity of the mercury component, which was recognized as early as in ancient Rome. Data suggests that mercury was retorted from cinnabar and the workers were exposed to the toxic mercury fumes. The mineral is a beautiful scarlet-red, semi-precious. While the vast majority of nuclear scientists dismiss the existence of such a compound, a substance does not need to be real to cause mass panic and divert the efforts of law enforcement agencies. The latest rumor that's taking a tour on the internet is the red mercury, which is mostly found on old electronics such as CRT televisions and FM radios. [3], Cinnabar is essentially found in all mineral extraction localities that yield mercury, notably Almadén (Spain). Fulminates and explosives. Spain, China, Kyrgyzstan and Algeria have dominated this activity in recent years, and several of the mines are state-owned. Some individuals think red mercury is very explosive and they can use it to trigger a fusion reaction in … While there are no known substances that are believed to have these properties, there are several substances considered to be Red Mercury (albeit lacking its imaginary explosive properties). To discuss this article or other industry developments, please reach out to one of our experts. Methylmercury, a highly toxic organic compound, is the form of mercury people in the U.S. encounter most frequently. Almost all people in the world have at least trace amounts of methylmercury in their bodies, reflecting its prevalence in the environment. Cinnabar is deposited by epithermal ascending aqueous solutions (those near surface and not too hot) far removed from their igneous source.https:[15] It is associated with native mercury, stibnite, realgar, pyrite, marcasite, opal, quartz, chalcedony, dolomite, calcite and barite. There is no such thing as “red mercury”. Fortunately, outside of conspiracy theories, Red Mercury is not thought to exist and the science behind its existence is fringe, at best. Anyone who tries to obtain “red mercury” has either been the victim of the urban legend, or the subject of a sting operation. An example of the response that would be generated by a Red Mercury scare can be seen in the 2017 Atlanta case, requiring the deployment of specialist teams to contain, assess, and decontaminate the scene. This mine was exploited from Roman times until 1991, being for centuries the most important cinnabar deposit in the world. Anthropogenic. In Rio de Janeiro, the U.N. is in the process of installing another sonic buoy in its Mega Shark early-warning system when two Unicorn submersibles detect a Russian trawler in the area mining Kopporlyte ore, a key component in a "miracle" energy source called Red Mercury. A condensing column is used to collect the liquid metal, which is most often shipped in iron flasks. However, the use of any mercury substance requires higher levels of clean-up and security. It was also mined near Red Devil, Alaska on the middle Kuskokwim River. Levels of mercury in the environment are increasing due to discharge from hydroelectric, mining, pulp, and paper industries. Some, including author Henry Stevens, claim this liquid was actually red mercury. Fish and Shellfish. Almost any quantity is believed to be sufficient to generate such explosions. Still, if you have your old Singer up for auction at eBay, … In the modern jewellery industry, the toxic pigment is replaced by a resin-based polymer that approximates the appearance of pigmented lacquer. From several journals regarding the subject, red mercury is a cherry red liquid produced by irradiating elemental mercury with mercury antimony oxide in a Russian nuclear reactor. Our Pure Red Liquid Mercury 20/20 for sale online is in high demand by industries worldwide. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(5869920, '219f16e5-00d1-4a20-9175-54090b451cf9', {}); S-RM is a global risk consultancy providing intelligence, resilience and response solutions to clients worldwide. Mercury(II) compounds are red, yellow, or colorless. In the 1970s, a supposedly top-secret nuclear material began appearing on the international arms black market labelled as “red” due to its purported association with the Soviet Union. Sources of Mercury. To discuss this article or other industry developments, please reach out to one of our experts. Fish and shellfish consumption is the leading dietary source of mercury exposure. Various other chemicals have been proposed, including mercury (II) oxide, mercury (II) sulphide, and mercury antimony oxide. What is “red mercury”? Red mercury, as an explosive agent, doesn't exist. It's an urban legend. Mercury(II) compounds are strong oxidizing agents and very corrosive. Both volcanoes and forest fires send mercury into the atmosphere. However, this is not necessarily indicative of the international threat still posed by CBRN agents. 2019 has been a relatively stable year in terms of CBRN attacks. Foods Containing Mercury. Despite a decline in global mercury consumption (global demand is less than half of 1980 levels), supply from competing sources and low prices, production of mercury from mining is still occurring in a number of countries. Cinnabar (mercury sulphide) is the primary ore of mercury. The urban myths and legends surrounding Red Mercury likely originated during the Cold War and grew in popularity and scope following the fall of the Soviet Union. Mercury(II) oxide and mercury(II) chloride are the most common mercury(II) compounds in the laboratory. Cinnabar (/ ˈ s ɪ n ə b ɑːr /) or cinnabarite (/ s ɪ n ə ˈ b ɑːr aɪ t /), likely deriving from the Ancient Greek: κιννάβαρι (kinnabari), is the bright scarlet to brick-red form of mercury(II) sulfide (HgS). It’s a hoax, started in 1979 and perpetuated through the 1980’s, which stated that the “red mercury” is a material that enhanced atomic and hydrogen bombs. [citation needed], Cinnabar's use as a color in the New World, since the Olmec culture,[30] is exemplified by its use in royal burial chambers during the peak of Maya civilization, most dramatically in the 7th-century Tomb of the Red Queen in Palenque, where the remains of a noble woman and objects belonging to her in her sarcophagus were completely covered with bright red powder made from cinnabar. This serum 525 was placed in large, counter-rotating cylinders that spun at high speeds. While fish might come to mind first when you think of mercury contamination, other foods besides fish can contain mercury. There is no real proof that red mercury exists, except perhaps as cinnabar or vermillion (HgS) or mercury (II) iodide, either of which you can purchase sans sewing machine for a much lower price. In the intervening years, various products with a red colour began appearing on the black market with wildly differing supposed properties, including as a shortcut to a nuclear bomb, as the Soviet ballistic missile guidance system, or as Soviet anti-radar paint, or all of these. It often contaminates air and water when emitted from factories as part of industrial waste. There is no such thing as red mercury.'" At that point the exact nature of the substance started to change, and eventually turned into anything the buyer happened to be interested in… With a radius of 1,516 miles (2,440 kilometers), Mercury is a little more than 1/3 the width of Earth. Chemical | Biological | Radiological | Nuclear Bul... CBRN Weapons Proliferation from North Korea, © S-RM Intelligence and Risk Consulting 2021. What is red mercury? Similarly, contributions of external sources to anthropogenic mercury depositions to Europe and Asia were estimated to be about 20 percent and 15 percent, respectively. Though it is shrouded in mystery, with its existence unproven yet, the myths around it have thrived since the Cold War. Cinnabar (aka vermilion, mercury sulfide, HgS), was used as a bright red pigment by the Palaeolithic painters of 30,000 years ago to decorate caves in Spain and France. An unused Red Mercury with original gum was auctioned for a hammer price of €40,000 plus commission, by Auktionhaus Felzmann (Düsseldorf) on 5 November 2015. One astronomical unit (abbreviated as AU), is the distance from the Sun to Earth. The scene was eventually declared safe and the substance is believed to have been mercury sulphide, which the individual claimed to have acquired from “Africa”. Inorganic mercury is converted to the more toxic organic methylmercury by bacteria. Directory of Red Mercury Importers provides list of red mercury buyers, purchasers and buying agents looking to source red mercury from global suppliers. [34], "Cinnabar: Cinnabar mineral information and data", "Table of Refractive Indices and Double Refraction of Selected Gems - IGS", "Thermal Springs and Epithermal Ore Deposits", "Arsenian Pyrite and Cinnabar from Active Submarine Nearshore Vents, Paleochori Bay, Milos Island, Greece", "Cinnabar from Sulphur Bank Mine (Sulfur Bank Mine; Sulphur Bank deposits), Clear Lake Oaks, Sulphur Creek Mining District (Sulfur Creek Mining District; Wilbur Springs Mining District), Lake Co., California, USA", "Cinnabar from Steamboat Springs mine, Steamboat Springs Mining District, Washoe Co., Nevada, USA", "Concentration of Isotopes of Mercury in Countercurrent Molecular Stills", "Dressed to Kill: Chilean Mummies' Clothes Were Colored with Deadly Toxin", "Hepatic Cinnabar: Hepatic Cinnabar mineral information and data", "Hypercinnabar: Hypercinnabar mineral information and data", "Metacinnabar: Metacinnabar mineral information and data", Dartmouth Toxic Metals Research Program – Mercury, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cinnabar&oldid=1012264178, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from July 2015, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from July 2015, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Articles lacking reliable references from July 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2015, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Hepatic cinnabar or paragite is an impure brownish variety, Synthetic cinnabar is produced by treatment of mercury(II), This page was last edited on 15 March 2021, at 13:39. Real Name: Red Mercury Case: Unusual Phenomenon Location: Atlanta, Georgia Date: July 27, 1996 Case [edit | edit source]. [19], Cinnabar is still being deposited at the present day, such as from the hot waters of Sulphur Bank Mine[20] in California and Steamboat Springs, Nevada. In our latest report, we examine a cyber incident from the perspective of several key stakeholders. Though people in ancient South America often used cinnabar for art, or processed it into refined mercury (as a means to gild silver and gold to objects) the toxic properties of mercury were well known. We supply Pure Red Liquid Mercury 20/20 of great quality from USA, China and Denmark. From an average distance of 36 million miles (58 million kilometers), Mercury is 0.4 astronomical units away from the Sun. [32] The danger of mercury poisoning may be reduced in ancient lacquerware by entraining the powdered pigment in lacquer,[33][page needed] but could still pose an environmental hazard if the pieces were accidentally destroyed. Human activities, however, are responsible for much of the mercury that is released into the environment. Good cinnabar crystals have also been found there. [28] "Mining in the Spanish cinnabar mines of Almadén, 225 km (140 mi) southwest of Madrid, was regarded as being akin to a death sentence due to the shortened life expectancy of the miners, who were slaves or convicts. References to red mercury began to appear in major Russian and Western media sources in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Details: Ben Sherwood, author of the book "Red Mercury", practically predicted the 1996 Summer Olympics Bombing in Atlanta, as the book was about a terrorist bombing at the specific event. S contacts (with 3.10, 3.10, 3.30, and 3.30 Å separations). There are a number of compounds of mercury that appear red, like cinnabar. Vermilion was the principle red pigment in painting until the introduction of cadmium red in 1907.Mercury chemically reacts with gold, silver, zinc and many other metals, except iron and platinum, to form a mercury amalgam, a solution of the metal (or alloy) in mercury. [16][17] Cinnabar deposits also appear in Giza (Egypt); Puerto Princesa (Philippines); New Almaden (California); Hastings Mine and St. John's Mine, Vallejo, California (United States);[18][page needed][better source needed] Idrija (Slovenia); New Idria, California (United States); Moschellandsberg [de] near Obermoschel in the Palatinate; La Ripa, at the foot of the Apuan Alps and in the Mount Amiata (Tuscany, Italy); the mountain Avala (Serbia); Huancavelica (Peru); Murfreesboro, Arkansas (United States); Terlingua, Texas (United States); and the province of Guizhou in China, where fine crystals have been obtained. The chronicle of fulminated mercury dates back to the days of alchemy in the 17 th century. Natural sources of mercury include volcanoes, forest fires, cannabar (ore) and fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum.
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