mercury

H330: Fatal if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H360D ***: May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]

H372 **: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

H400: Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]

H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard]

P203, P260, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P304+P340, P316, P318, P319, P320, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

H290 (18.2%): May be corrosive to metals [Warning Corrosive to Metals]

H300+H330 (10%): Fatal if swallowed or if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, oral; acute toxicity, inhalation]

H300 (36.7%): Fatal if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

H330 (98.6%): Fatal if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H360 (88.2%): May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]

H360D (10.5%): May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]

H372 (98.8%): Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

H400 (97.4%): Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]

H410 (100%): Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard]

P203, P234, P260, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P316, P304+P340, P316, P318, P319, P320, P321, P330, P390, P391, P403+P233, P405, P406, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 570 reports by companies from 29 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website.

H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]

H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]

H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]

H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

P203, P260, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P272, P273, P280, P284, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P308+P316, P316, P318, P319, P320, P321, P333+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

H341: Suspected of causing genetic defects [Warning Germ cell mutagenicity]

P203, P260, P261, P264, P270, P272, P280, P302+P352, P308+P316, P318, P319, P321, P333+P317, P362+P364, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

H360FD: May damage fertility; May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]

Fresh air, rest. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer immediately for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap. Refer for medical attention .

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Refer for medical attention .

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Mercury compounds [except (organo) alkyls] (as Hg):

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: SOAP WASH PROMPTLY - If this chemical contacts the skin, promptly wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, promptly remove the clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. Get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2024)

General First Aid:

· Call 911 or emergency medical service.

· Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination.

· Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely.

· Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.

· If victim is not breathing:

-- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance.

-- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other device).

-- If no pulse detected or no respiratory medical device available, provide continuous compressions. Conduct a pulse check every two minutes or monitor for any signs of spontaneous respirations.

· Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.

· For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin.

· In case of contact with substance, remove immediately by flushing skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.

· For severe burns, immediate medical attention is required.

· Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.

· Keep victim calm and warm.

· Keep victim under observation.

· For further assistance, contact your local Poison Control Center.

· Note: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) should be done by trained professionals.

(General first aid procedures)

Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: Soap wash promptly - If this chemical contacts the skin, promptly wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, promptly remove the clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. Get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: Respiratory support

Swallow: Medical attention immediately - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 172 [Gallium and Mercury]:

Use extinguishing agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Do not direct water at the heated metal. (ERG, 2024)

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

- Mercury is non-combustible.

- The agent itself does not burn, but it may react upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes.

- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive, and/or toxic gases.

- Use an extinguishing agent suitable for the type of surrounding fire.

- Do not direct water at the heated metal.

- Run-off may pollute waterways.

- If the situation allows, control and properly dispose of run-off (effluent).

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.

· Keep unauthorized personnel away.

· Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

· Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing.

· Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

· Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

· Do not use steel or aluminum tools or equipment.

· Cover with earth, sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain.

· For mercury, use a mercury spill kit.

· Mercury spill areas may be subsequently treated with calcium sulphide/calcium sulfide or with sodium thiosulphate/sodium thiosulfate wash to neutralize any residual mercury.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 172 [Gallium and Mercury]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).

FIRE: When any large container is involved in a fire, consider initial evacuation for 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

Immediate precautionary measure

· Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

Large Spill

· Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).

· When any large container is involved in a fire, consider initial evacuation for 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions.

Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Personal protection: chemical protection suit and filter respirator for mercury adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Ventilation. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable non-metallic containers as far as possible. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

The following treatment processes have shown possible applicability for spill countermeasures: clarification/sedimentation >99% removal; clarification/ sedimentation with chemical addition: (alum) >62% removal, (alum, polymer) 88% removal, (lime) >96% removal, (BaCl2) 87% removal, and (polymer) 99% removal.

In mining and primary metal recovery operations, it has been a standard practice to liberally dust mercury spills with flowers (microcrystalline) of sulfur or preferably calcium polysulfide, to encourage the formation of a surface coating of mercuric sulfide which would reduce the rate of Hg vapor loss during the period of cleanup.

The chloralkali industry has long relied upon wet operation, that is maintaining a water flow over the concrete floors underlying the electrolytic mercury (Hg) cells to reduce Hg vapor loss in this way. Sumps in the underfloor drainage systems were used to collect Hg from spills which were flushed into them, but the design of these was not highly effective. To reduce Hg losses via this route, water use for this purpose is now kept to a minimum necessity and the sump discharge is either fed into the brine circuit or treated for Hg removal prior to discharge.

A small aspirator-driven vacuum trap with a "mercury sweeper", an amalgamated copper roller operating in a small, tin-plate "dustpan" or "mercury scoop" is effective. This can be followed, if necessary, (and with an appropriate choice, for the surface on which the spill took place) by washes with dilute nitric acid (approx 1 M), concentrated sulfuric acid, or bleach washes, and then by clear water rinses.

For more Cleanup Methods (Complete) data for MERCURY, ELEMENTAL (11 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number D009, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number U151, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

Mercury is a poor candidate for incineration.

Mercury (Hg) bearing brine purification muds from Hg cell process in chlorine production or Hg bearing wastewater treatment sludges from the production of Hg sulfide pigment is a poor candidate for incineration.

Chemical Treatability of Mercury; Concentration Process: Activated carbon; Chemical Classification: Metals; Scale of Study: Literature review; Type of Wastewater Used: Unknown; Results of Study: 80% reduction by PAC and Alum coagulation.

If material not on fire and not involved in fire: Keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Attempt to stop leak if without undue personnel hazard. /Mercury compound, liquid, NOS/

Personnel protection: Avoid breathing dusts, and fumes from burning material. Keep upwind. Avoid bodily contact with the material. ... Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water. ... If contact with the material anticipated, wear appropriate chemical protective clothing. /Mercury compound, solid, NOS/

Personnel protection: Keep upwind. Avoid breathing vapors. ... Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. /Mercury compounds, liquid, NOS/

Preventative measure: adequate ventilation; careful attention to good housekeeping, e.g., avoidance of spills, and prompt and proper cleaning if a spill occurs; all containers of mercury and its compounds should be kept tightly closed; should be washed on a regular basis with dilute calcium sulfide solution or other suitable reactant; floors should be nonporous; all workers directly involved in the plant operation should shower thoroughly each day before leaving. /Mercury compounds/

Excerpt from ERG Guide 172 [Gallium and Mercury]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Do not use steel or aluminum tools or equipment. Cover with earth, sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. For mercury, use a mercury spill kit. Mercury spill areas may be subsequently treated with calcium sulphide/calcium sulfide or with sodium thiosulphate/sodium thiosulfate wash to neutralize any residual mercury. (ERG, 2024)

Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Separated from food and feedstuffs. Well closed. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.

Storage temperature: Ambient; Venting: Open

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.

Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) [ACGIH] - Mercury in urine = 20 ug/g creatinine; sample prior to shift; Indicate average exposure during the past month; BEI for blood mercury withdrawn: may reflect recent exposure, but also affected by dietary exposure to methyl mercury in fish; [TLVs and BEIs]

TIH (Toxic Inhalation Hazard) - Term used to describe gases and volatile liquids that are toxic when inhaled. Some are TIH materials themselves, e.g., chlorine, and some release TIH gases when spilled in water, e.g., chlorosilanes. [ERG 2016].

0.02 [mg/m3], as Hg, inhalable fraction[German Research Foundation (DFG)]

AEGL 1: Notable discomfort, irritation, or certain asymptomatic non-sensory effects. However, the effects are not disabling and are transient and reversible upon cessation of exposure (Unit: mg/m3)

AEGL 2: Irreversible or other serious, long-lasting adverse health effects or an impaired ability to escape (Unit: mg/m3)

AEGL 3: Life-threatening health effects or death (Unit: mg/m3)

3.1 mg/m3

16 mg/m3

2.1 mg/m3

11 mg/m3

1.7 mg/m3

8.9 mg/m3

0.67 mg/m3

2.2 mg/m3

0.33 mg/m3

NOTE THAT VALUES ARE IN mg/m3, NOT ppm. NR = Not recommended due to insufficient data

AEGLs Status: Interim

0.15 [mg/m3]

1.7 [mg/m3]

8.9 [mg/m3]

0.01 mg/m³

0.03 mg/m³

0.05 mg/m³ (Hg vapor)

0.1 mg/m³

0.05 mg/m³

NIOSH REL:

Hg Vapor: TWA 0.05 mg/m3 [skin]

Other: C 0.1 mg/m3 [skin]

0.1 [mg/m3], as Hg

0.04 mg/m³

0.1 mg/m³*

0.1 mg/m³ - Construction (1926) and Maritime (1925) only

1 mg/10m³ (0.1 mg/m³)* - General Industry (1910) only

TWA 0.1 mg/m3 See Appendix G

10 mg Hg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024)

10.0 [mg/m3], as Hg

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs: A single 4 hr. dose of 28.8 mg/m3 of mercury vapor caused severe damage to the kidneys, lungs and colon of rabbits, while a one hr. exposure caused mild injury.

10 mg/cu m (as Hg)

Mercury appears as an odorless, silvery metallic liquid. Insoluble in water. Toxic by ingestion, absorption and inhalation of the fumes. Corrosive to aluminum. Used as a catalyst in instruments, boilers, mirror coatings.

Liquid; Wet Solid; Other Solid

Metal: Silver-white, heavy, odorless liquid. [NIOSH]

ODOURLESS HEAVY MOBILE SILVERY LIQUID METAL.

An odorless, silvery metallic liquid.

Metal: Silver-white, heavy, odorless liquid. [Note: "Other" Hg compounds include all inorganic & aryl Hg compounds except (organo) alkyls.]

Heavy, shiny, silver-white, mobile liquid metal, at room temperature.

Silver-white, heavy, mobile, liquid metal; solid mercury is tin-white

Metal: silver-white, heavy liquid.

Odorless

675 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)

356.73 °C

356.7 °C @760 [mm Hg]

-38 °F (USCG, 1999)

-38.87 °C

-38.9 °C

Insoluble (NIOSH, 2024)

0.28 umoles/l of water at 25 °C

SOL IN NITRIC ACID; INSOL IN THE FOLLOWING: DILUTE HYDROCHLORIC ACID, HYDROGEN BROMIDE, HYDROGEN IODIDE, COLD SULFURIC ACID

DISSOLVES TO SOME EXTENT IN LIPIDS

2.7 MG/L IN PENTANE

Solubility in water: none

Insoluble

13.55 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink

13.534 @ 25 °C

13.5 g/cm³

Relative density of the vapour/air-mixture at 20 °C (air = 1): 1.009

13.6 (metal)

13.5336 @25 °C

Relative vapor density (air = 1): 6.93

0.0012 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024)

0.002 [mmHg]

2X10-3 mm Hg @ 25 °C

Vapor pressure, Pa at 20 °C: 0.26

depends upon the specific compound

0.0012 mmHg

SLIGHTLY VOLATILE AT ORDINARY TEMP; WHEN PURE, DOES NOT TARNISH ON EXPOSURE TO AIR AT ORDINARY TEMP, BUT WHEN HEATED TO NEAR BOILING POINT, SLOWLY OXIDIZES TO MERCURIC OXIDE (HGO)

IN MOIST AIR, IT MAY OXIDIZE SLOWLY FORMING MERCUROUS OXIDE (HG2O)

Not flammable (USCG, 1999)

1.55 mPa.sec (15.5 millipoise) at 20 °C

Insoluble in water.

Metals, Less Reactive

MERCURY forms an explosive acelylide when mixed with acetylene. Can form explosive compounds with ammonia (a residue resulting from such a reaction exploded when an attempt was made to clean it off a steel rod [Chem. Eng. News 25:2138. 1947]. Chlorine dioxide (also other oxidants, such as: chlorine, bromine, nitric acid, performic acid), and mercury explode when mixed [Mellor 2, Supp. 1:381. 1956]. Methyl azide in the presence of mercury is potentially explosive [Can. J. Chem. 41:1048. 1963]. Ground mixtures of sodium carbide and mercury can react vigorously [Mellor 5:848. 1946-47]. Ammonia forms explosive compounds with gold, mercury, or silver. (Eggeman, Tim. "Ammonia". Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2001.).

Ground mixtures of sodium carbide and mercury, aluminum, lead, or iron can react vigorously.

A violent exothermic reaction or possible explosion occurs when mercury comes in contact with lithium and rubidium.

CHLORINE DIOXIDE & LIQUID HG, WHEN MIXED, EXPLODE VIOLENTLY.

Mercury undergoes hazardous reactions in the presence of heat and sparks or ignition.

For more Hazardous Reactivities and Incompatibilities (Complete) data for MERCURY, ELEMENTAL (13 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Acetylene, ammonia, chlorine dioxide, azides, calcium (amalgam formation), sodium carbide, lithium, rubidium, copper

CDC-ATSDR Toxicological Profile

IDENTIFICATION: In its elemental form, mercury is a heavy silvery liquid at room temperature and has a very high vapour pressure. Mercury vapor is more soluble in plasma, whole blood, and hemoglobin than in distilled water, where it dissolves only slightly. The major natural sources of mercury are degassing of the earth's crust, emissions from volcanoes, and evaporation from natural bodies of water. (The world-wide mining of mercury is estimated to yield about 10,000 tons per year. The activities lead to some losses of mercury and direct discharges to the atmosphere). Other important sources are fossil fuel combustion, metal sulfide ore smelting, gold refining, cement production, refuse incineration, and industrial applications of metals. A major use of mercury is as a cathode in the electrolysis of sodium chloride. Mercury is used in the electrical industry, in control instruments in the home and industry, and in laboratory and medical instruments. A very large amount of mercury is used for the extraction of gold. Dental silver amalgam for tooth filling contains large amounts of mercury. Use of skin-lightening soap and creams can give rise to substantial mercury exposure. Occupational exposure to inorganic mercury has been investigated in chloralkali plants, mercury mines, thermometer factories, refineries, and in dental clinics. High mercury levels have been reported for all these occupational exposure situations, although levels vary according to work environment conditions. HUMAN EXPOSURE: The general population is primarily exposed to mercury through the diet and dental amalgam. Acute inhalation exposure to mercury vapor may be followed by chest pains, dyspnea, coughing, hemoptysis, and sometimes interstitial pneumonitis leading to death. (The ingestion of mercuric compounds, in particular mercuric chloride, has caused ulcerative gastroenteritis and acute tubular necrosis causing death from anuria where dialysis was not available). The central nervous system is the critical organ for mercury vapor exposure. Subacute exposure has given rise to psychotic reactions characterized by delerium, hallucinations, and suicidal tendency. Occupational exposure has resulted in erethism as the principal feature of a broad ranging functional disturbance. The kidney is the critical organ following the ingestion of inorganic divalent mercury salts. Occupational exposure to metallic mercury has long been associated with the development of proteinuria. Both metallic mercury vapor and mercury compounds have given rise to contact dermatitis. Mercurial pharmaceuticals have been responsible for Pink disease (acrodynia) in children, and mercury vapor exposure may be a cause of "Kawasaki" disease. Results of both human and animal studies indicate that about 80% of inhaled metallic mercury vapour is retained by the body, whereas liquid metallic mercury is poorly absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract. ANIMAL STUDIES: Evidence of damage to brain, kidney, heart, and lungs have been reported in rabbits exposed acutely to metallic mercury vapor at certain concentrations. Both reversible and irreversible toxic effects may be caused by mercury and its compounds. In two studies, tremor and behavioural effects were observed in rabbits and rats after several weeks of exposure to metallic mercury vapour. Depending upon the animal strain tested, either auto-immunity or immunosuppression is observed. The most sensitive adverse effect caused by mercuric mercury is the formation of mercuric-mercury-induced auto-immune glomerulonephritis. Mercuric chloride was found to induce gene mutations in mouse lymphoma cells and DNA damage in rat and mouse fibroblasts. The World Health Organization reported no evidence that inorganic mercury is carcinogenic. The neurotoxic effect seen after exposure to metallic mercury vapour is attributable to the divalent mercury ion formed through oxidation in the brain tissue. Significantly more mercury is transported to the brain of mice and monkeys after the inhalation of elemental mercury than after the intravenous injection of equivalent doses of the mercuric form.

Mercury, elemental

3 x 10 ^-4 mg/m^3

Trace element

Inorganic

Smith, C.D. and Nowell, L.H., 2024. Health-Based Screening Levels for evaluating water-quality data (3rd ed.). DOI:10.5066/F71C1TWP

Cancer Classification: Group D Not Classifiable as to Human Carcinogenicity

CLASSIFICATION: D; not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: Based on inadequate human and animal data. Epidemiologic studies failed to show a correlation between exposure to elemental mercury vapor and carcinogenicity; the findings in these studies were confounded by possible or known concurrent exposures to other chemicals, including human carcinogens, as well as lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking). Findings from genotoxicity tests are severely limited and provide equivocal evidence that mercury adversely affects the number or structure of chromosomes in human somatic cells. HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY DATA: Inadequate. ANIMAL CARCINOGENICITY DATA: Inadequate.

Evaluation: There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of mercury and mercury compounds. There is inadequate evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of metallic mercury. There is limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of mercuric chloride. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of methylmercury chloride. In making the overall evaluation, the Working Group took into account evidence that methylmercury compounds are similar with regard to absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, genotoxicity and other forms of toxicity. Overall evaluation: Methylmercury compounds are possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Metallic mercury and inorganic mercury compounds are not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans. (Group 3). /Mercury and mercury compounds/

A4: Not classifiable as a human carcinogen. /Mercury, elemental and inorganic forms, as Hg/

Mercury and inorganic mercury compounds

Group 3: Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans

Volume 58: (1993) Beryllium, Cadmium, Mercury, and Exposures in the Glass Manufacturing Industry

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour and through the skin also as a vapour.

inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Elemental mercury is toxic primarily through inhalation of mercury vapors. It is only slowly absorbed through the skin, although it may cause skin and eye irritation. Elemental mercury droplets may be absorbed through eye contact. Ingestion is not an important route of acute exposure as almost no elemental mercury is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.

Cough. Sore throat. Shortness of breath. Fever. Vomiting. Diarrhoea. Abdominal pain. Headache. Weakness.

MAY BE ABSORBED! Redness.

irritation eyes, skin; cough, chest pain, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), bronchitis, pneumonitis; tremor, insomnia, irritability, indecision, headache, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion); stomatitis, salivation; gastrointestinal disturbance, anorexia, weight loss; proteinuria

- Irritation

- Ingestion does not normally result in whole-body (systemic) toxicity.

- Acute exposure to high levels of elemental mercury vapor may cause inflammation of the lungs (chemical pneumonitis), difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea), chest pain, and dry cough. Effects may improve or, conversely, worsen, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema), respiratory failure, and death. Acute toxicity may also cause kidney damage (sometimes severe) and kidney failure, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), and high blood pressure (hypertension). The patient/victim may have a metallic taste, salivation, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Central nervous system (CNS) effects include headache, weakness, and visual disturbances.

- Skin (dermal) reactions associated with skin contact with elemental mercury liquid or vapor are rare.

- Rash or inflammation of the skin (contact dermatitis) are possible.

- Acute contact with the skin does not normally result in whole-body (systemic) toxicity.

Cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Vessels), Developmental (effects during periods when organs are developing) , Immunological (Immune System), Neurological (Nervous System), Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys), Reproductive (Producing Children)

Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, kidneys

Neurotoxin - Sensorimotor

Nephrotoxin - The chemical is potentially toxic to the kidneys in the occupational setting.

Reproductive Toxin - A chemical that is toxic to the reproductive system, including defects in the progeny and injury to male or female reproductive function. Reproductive toxicity includes developmental effects. See Guidelines for Reproductive Toxicity Risk Assessment.

Skin Sensitizer - An agent that can induce an allergic reaction in the skin.

Toxic Pneumonitis - Inflammation of the lungs induced by inhalation of metal fumes or toxic gases and vapors.

ACGIH Carcinogen - Not Classifiable.

IRIS Current

HEAST Current

LCLo (rabbits) = 29 mg/m3/30 hr

IT HAS BEEN FOUND ... THAT ETHANOL DEPRESSES CONVERSION OF INHALED ELEMENTAL MERCURY INTO IONIC FORM IN BLOOD. IN ADDN, ETHANOL ENHANCES PULMONARY EXHALATION OF ABSORBED MERCURY, WITH RESULTANT EFFECT OF SUPPRESSING LUNG RETENTION OF MERCURY TOGETHER WITH LOWERING BLOOD MERCURY CONTENT.

... Concn of NTA in surface waters had no interaction with barium, antimony, molybdenum, strontium, chromium, silver, tin, iron, lead, cadmium, copper, and mercury ... and not enough with nickel, zinc, manganese, cobalt, magnesium, and calcium ... to be of environmental concern.

The oxidation of elemental mercury vapor in the body ... can be reduced considerably (to about 50% of normal values) by moderate amt of alcohol. In an in vivo study, the uptake of labelled mercury into human red cells was reduced by a factor of ten by ethanol, while there was an incr in liver mercury concn ... .

LC50 Catfish 0.35 mg/l/96 hr. /Conditions of bioassay not specified/

LC50 Modiolus carvalhoi (mollusk) 0.5 ppm/48 hr; 0.19 ppm/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/

LC50 Rana hexadactyla (tadpoles) 0.051 ppm/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/

7.10e+00

3.00e+01

3.10e-01

1.30e+00

6.30e-01

2.00e+00

3.30e-02

1.00e-01

3.00e-04

Volatile

3.13e+00

2.10e+01

9.00e+01

9.40e-01

3.90e+00

1.90e+00

The substance is very toxic to aquatic organisms. Bioaccumulation of this chemical may occur in fish and seafood.

Mercury is recovered almost entirely from cinnabar (alpha-HgS), 86.2% Hg, although elemental mercury occurs in some ores.

Joint FAO/WHO expert committee on Food Additives (1972) quotes the major source of mercury (Hg) as the natural degassing of the earth's crust ... in the range of 25,000-150,000 ton of Hg/yr.

Mercury is released into the environment from volcanoes and hot springs.

Cu, Fe, Zn and many other metals precipitate metallic Hg from neutral or slightly acid soln of mercury salts.

In ... the mercury liberated from the working and smelting of ores of copper, gold, lead, silver and zinc which normally contain traces of mercury.

... The average emissions of mercury stack losses for USA cinnabar (HgS) roasting operations was 2-3%.

... Maximum ground-level concn of Hg for 12 USA coal-fired power plants were 0.035-6.9 ug/cu m.

For more Artificial Pollution Sources (Complete) data for MERCURY, ELEMENTAL (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACCUMULATION: TWO CHARACTERISTICS, VOLATILITY & BIOTRANSFORMATION, MAKE HG SOMEWHAT UNIQUE AS ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICANT. ITS VOLATILITY ACCOUNTS FOR HIGH ATMOSPHERIC CONCN, 20 TO 200 UG/CU M NEAR AREAS CONTAINING HIGH SOIL LEVELS (10 PPM) AS COMPARED TO NORMAL ATMOSPHERIC CONCN OF 5 UG/CU M. ... GROUND WATER CONCN IN USA ... BELOW 1 PPB.

METHYLMERCURY IS FORMED NATURALLY IN AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS FROM ELEMENTAL MERCURY. ... METHYLATION IS LIKELY TO OCCUR IN UPPER SEDIMENTARY LAYERS OF SEA OR LAKE BOTTOMS.

... Certain bacteria, particularly of the genus Pseudomonas, can convert divalent mercury into metallic mercury.

Upon entering an aqueous system, virtually any mercurial cmpd may be microbially converted to methylmercury. /Mercurial cmpd/

Specimens (195) of higher fungi and their substrata collected in the mercury mining area of Amiata and around Siena (central Italy), were analyzed for their total mercury (Hg) content. Wood decomposers and many species of mycorrhizal fungi accumulated the metal at a very low rate; some mycorrhizal species and all the humus decomposers may accumulate up to 100 ug/g/l dry weight of Hg and in the least contaminated sites, up to 63 times as much Hg as the substratum. In mineralized areas, the concn factor rarely exceeded 1. The methylmercury content of 35 /specimens/ (almost all edible), ranged between 0.01 and 3.7 mug/g/l dry weight.

Much of the mercury deposited on land, appears to revaporize within a day or two, at least in areas substantially heated by sunlight.

Volatilization of mercury from land and lakes was estimated to enhance the atmosphere concn over continental land masses by a factor of 45.

Volcanic exhalations: Soil air over mercury deposits 0-2000 ng/cu m.

Mercury vapor concn in the stack gas of large coal-fired power generating stations in Ontario were found to range from 40 to 80 ug/cu m. ...

ONE OF MAJOR SOURCES OF ... EXPOSURE IS IN CHLOR-ALKALI PLANTS ... /OTHER SOURCES ARE/ MINING & REFINING OF MERCURY ... FROM PROCESSING OF CINNABAR (HGS) ... MFR & USE OF LIQ HG-CONTAINING INSTRUMENTS ... AN OFTEN UNREALIZED SOURCE OF EXPOSURE THROUGH BREAKAGE, SPILLAGE, OR CARELESS HANDLING.

... MOTHERS EXPOSED TO ELEMENTAL MERCURY THROUGH THEIR DENTAL WORK PLACE ... /SHOWED/ SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED MERCURY CONTENT IN THEIR BABIES' PLACENTA & MEMBRANES. ... EXPOSURE LIMITS FOR WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE & LEVELS AT WHICH TOXICITY MIGHT BE EXPECTED /HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED/. FOR FETUS & NEWBORN, THE TOXIC LEVEL IS GIVEN AS 3 UG HG/G.

INHALATION OF VAPOR BY LABORATORY WORKERS IN CLOSED SPACE LED TO BRONCHIAL IRRITATION /& CHARACTERISTIC MERCURY POISONING SYMPTOMS/ ... CHRONIC MERCURIALISM IN FUR-CUTTING & FELT-HAT INDUSTRIES /IS REPORTED/. ALTHOUGH MERCURIC NITRATE WAS MATERIAL USED TO TREAT FUR FROM WHICH FELT WAS MADE, MERCURY WAS GRADUALLY RELEASED FROM FUR & FELT IN FORM OF METALLIC MERCURY VAPOR. ... THE WORKERS HAD MIXED EXPOSURE TO DUST OF MERCURY CMPD (ESP THE NITRATE) & TO VAPOR OF ELEMENT. ... POISONING WAS SIMILAR TO THAT OBSERVED ... /WITH/ METALLIC MERCURY ONLY.

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number D009, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number U151, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

Mercury is a poor candidate for incineration.

Mercury (Hg) bearing brine purification muds from Hg cell process in chlorine production or Hg bearing wastewater treatment sludges from the production of Hg sulfide pigment is a poor candidate for incineration.

Chemical Treatability of Mercury; Concentration Process: Activated carbon; Chemical Classification: Metals; Scale of Study: Literature review; Type of Wastewater Used: Unknown; Results of Study: 80% reduction by PAC and Alum coagulation.

/GUIDE 172: GALLIUM and MERCURY/ Fire or Explosion: Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may react upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Runoff may pollute waterways.

/GUIDE 172: GALLIUM and MERCURY/ Health: Inhalation of vapors or contact with substance will result in contamination and potential harmful effects. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.

/GUIDE 172: GALLIUM and MERCURY/ Public Safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions. Stay upwind. Keep unauthorized personnel away.

/GUIDE 172: GALLIUM and MERCURY/ Protective Clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Structural firefighters' protective clothing will only provide limited protection.

For more DOT Emergency Guidelines (Complete) data for MERCURY, ELEMENTAL (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

2809 172(metal)

UN 2809; Mercury

IMO 8; Mercury

49 443 25; Mercury, metallic

No person may /transport,/ offer or accept a hazardous material for transportation in commerce unless that person is registered in conformance ... and the hazardous material is properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized by ... /the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-177)./

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations are published by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board pursuant to IATA Resolutions 618 and 619 and constitute a manual of industry carrier regulations to be followed by all IATA Member airlines when transporting hazardous materials.

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lays down basic principles for transporting hazardous chemicals. Detailed recommendations for individual substances and a number of recommendations for good practice are included in the classes dealing with such substances. A general index of technical names has also been compiled. This index should always be consulted when attempting to locate the appropriate procedures to be used when shipping any substance or article.

Corrosive Poison

Special material. Do not transport with food and feedstuffs. Marine pollutant.

H330; H372; H400; H410; H360D

UN Hazard Class: 8; UN Subsidiary Risks: 6.1; UN Pack Group: III