I've heard the only danger to mercury is contactiing it directly with your skin...I don't recall playing with the stuff, but I do remember the transition between the words "Middle School" and "Jr. High"! My sister went to "Jr. High", but I ended up in "Middle School"!
I can relate to that, though my experience in coming across a slab of Lead wasn't as traumatic. I'm searching for something at work and come across a slab of Lead! Who puts solid lead on their desk!? I just went to wash my hands!
And, yes, Lynda is what kind of people I typically come across when I meet the ones close to my age!!! (I used to sniff the modeling glue <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0"> <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/coughing.gif" border="0"> )
<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">