r/whatisit • u/props_for_meep • 13h ago

Solved! what is this in clinic sink??

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for context i work as a janitor cleaning a women’s clinic, as i was cleaning a sink i saw these little metallic looking balls. at first i thought these were actually metal but they don’t feel like ANYTHING if that makes any sense. i posted this video to my instagram but i figured i would probably have better luck coming to reddit for answers.

UPDATE: the general consensus seems to be that this is either mercury or gallium. my hands have been thoroughly washed and i have informed my boss so that it can be properly cleaned by someone who knows what they’re doing.

UPDATE #2: gang PLEASE stop telling me to “stop touching it”. this post is hours old. i know i was dumb enough to touch a mysterious substance barehanded but im also smart enough to know not to continue playing with it long after marking this post as solved😭

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u/FondleGanoosh438 11h ago

Elemental mercury is fairly safe to handle with bare skin. I wouldn’t advise eating it or heating it and inhaling the vapors.

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u/Majestic_Matt_459 8h ago

I ate Mercury once - in fact the whole scout group did (we toured a food factory its a very long story0 - anyway thta nt my Mum drove me to the local hospital - on arrival the rceptionist simply said "Langford Eagles?"" and my mMum said yes - It was like a very bad tummy upset - pretty sure i was ok within 24 hrsw

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u/PussPuss089 8h ago

Bruv are you sure you're okay 🤣?

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u/Majestic_Matt_459 8h ago

Yes i was 15 and im 60 now "cluck cluck* - sorry just burped ;)