MERCURY
SYNONYMS:
COLLOIDAL
MERCURY; EEC No. 080-001-00-0; EINECS No. 231-106-7; MERCURE (French); MERCURIO
(Spanish); MERCURY, ELEMENTAL; MERCURY, METALLIC; METALLIC MERCURY; NCI-C60399;
QUECKSILBER (German); QUICK SILVER
IDENTIFICATION:
CAS:
7439-97-6
DOT ID:
UN2809
Hazard Class or Division:
8 (CORROSIVE MATERIAL)
ERG Guide:
172
Formula:
Hg
RTECS No:
OV4550000
Properties:
Heavy
liquid. Silvery-white. Odorless. Sinks in water.
Uses:
Many
uses in industry including mirrors; making batteries, wire, antifouling paints,
industrial, and control meters and instruments; amalgams; lubricants.
HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION
•
IARC:
Group 3, not classifiable as to
carcinogenicity to humans
• IDLH:
10
mg[Hg]/m3
• NIOSH Criteria Document
: NIOSH 73-11024
“INORGANIC
MERCURY”
•
Chemical protective clothing is recommended because vapor and liquid can be
dermally absorbed and may contribute to systemic toxicity. Mercury accumulates
in the brain quickly during exposure but is released from the brain very
slowly. This may result in a buildup in brain tissue over a long time. The
liver and kidneys may also be damaged by mercury accumulation. Long term
exposure may cause headache, dizziness, restlessness, irritability, sleepiness,
tremors, defective muscle control, increased salivation, loose teeth,
irritation of the gums with blue line between teeth and gums, loss of appetite,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage, changes in urine, raised red areas
and blisters on skin, impaired memory, and possibly permanent brain damage.
Frequency of complaints and severity of symptoms increase with levels of
exposure, most notably above 0.1 mg/m3. However, many of these symptoms have
been reported at levels below recommended limits due to the accumulation of
mercury over long term exposure.
Exposure Limits:
•
ACGIH TLV: 0.025 mg[Hg]/m3 TWA (skin); not classifiable as a carcinogen; BEI
(preshift) 35
μ
g[Hg]/100 ml creatinine total inorganic Hg in
urine; 15
μ
g[Hg]/L total inorganic Hg in blood; end of
shift at end of workweek
•
OSHA PEL: 0.1 mg[Hg]/m3 TWA, inorganic (skin) ceiling limit
•
NIOSH REL:
Vapor:
0.05 mg[Hg]/m3 TWA (skin);
Other:
0.1 mg[Hg]/m3 ceiling limit (skin)
•
DFG MAK: 0.1 mg[Hg]/m3; BAT: 25
μ
g/
d
L in blood; 100
μ
g/
d
L in urine.
Respirator:
0.5
mg/m3:
CCRS end of service
life indicator (ESLI) required (any chemical cartridge respirator with
cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern] SA (any
supplied-air respirator).
1.25
mg/m3:
SA:CF (any
supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode) PAPRS* (any
powered, air-purifying respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection
against the compound of concern). 2.5 mg/m3: CCRFS end of service life
indicator (ESLI) required (any chemical cartridge respirator with a full
facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern]
GMFS end of service life indicator (ESLI) required [any air-purifying,
full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted
canister providing protection against the compound of concern] SAT:CF (any
supplied-air respirator that has a tightfitting facepiece and is operated in a
continuous-flow mode) PAPRTS (any powered, air-purifying respirator with a
tight-fitting facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the
compound of concern] SCBAF (any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full
facepiece) SAF (any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece).
10 mg/m3:
SA:PD,PP (any supplied-air respirator
operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode).
Emergency or Planned Entry into
Unknown Concentrations or IDLH Conditions
SCBAF:PD,PP (any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a
full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positivepressure
mode) SAF:PD,PP:ASCBA (any supplied air respirator that has a full facepiece
and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in
combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in a
pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode).
Escape:
GMFS
[any airpurifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style,
front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of
concern] SCBAE (any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing
apparatus).
Reactivity:
Reaction
with acetylene, acetylene products, and ammonia gases can form shock-sensitive
solids that can initiate fires of combustibles. Violent reactions with boron
phosphodiiodide, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and methyl azide. Reacts with
nitrates, chlorates, hot sulfuric acid, alkalies, and dry bromine. Attacks
copper and copper alloys.
FIRE INFORMATION:
If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify
downstream users of potentially contaminated water.
FIRST AID:
Move
victim to fresh air. Call emergency medical care. Apply artificial respiration
if victim is not breathing. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove
and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with material,
immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep
victim warm and quiet. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the
material(s) involved, and take precautions to protect themselves.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
•
Clean Water Act: Section 307 Toxic Pollutants as mercury and compounds; Section
313 Priority Chemicals.
•
EPA Hazardous Waste Number (RCRA No.): U151.
•
RCRA Section 261 Hazardous Constituents
•
RCRA Toxicity Characteristic (Section 261.24): Maximum Concentration of
Contaminants, regulatory level, 0.2 mg/L.
•
RCRA Land Ban Waste
•
RCRA Universal Treatment Standards: Wastewater (mg/L), 0.15; Nonwastewater
(mg/L), 0.25 TCLP; Wastewater from retort, N/A; Nonwastewater from retort
(mg/L), 0.20 TCLP.
•
RCRA Ground Water Monitoring List: Suggested test method(s) (PQL
μ
g/L): 7420(2) as mercury (total).
•
Safe Drinking Water Act: MCL, 0.002 mg/L; MCLG, 0.002 mg/L.
•
EPCRA Section 304: Reportable Quantity (RQ): CERCLA, 1 lb (0.454 kg).
•
EPCRA Section 313: Form R
de
minimis
concentration
reporting level: 1.0%.
•
California LOL: BCDFGJK(Reproductive toxin) MNQ
•
WHMIS, Ingredients Disclosure List (Canada): 0.1%