[lutorm]

Indeed. The equilibrium vapor concentration of mercury is, IIRC, high enough to be hazardous, and you only need a tiny drop to saturate a room.

This was all prominently on my mind as I broke a mercury manometer during an unofficial experiment in school and was trying to find all the little drops that exploded across the floor and hid themselves in the corners. However, I can say that it's a very efficient way to collect dust bunnies... ;-)