Mercury thermometers are banned on airplanes because mercury can react dangerously with Aluminum, the main material used in aircraft bodies. When mercury touches aluminum, it forms an amalgam that weakens the metal, potentially damaging the aircraft’s structure.
Beyond structural risks, mercury is highly toxic if a thermometer breaks, it can release harmful vapors into the cabin posing serious health risks like neurological damage. It is also difficult to clean and spreads quickly making it especially dangerous in a confined space like an aircraft. That’s why aviation authorities prefer safer alternatives like digital thermometers.
