Mercury compounds [except (organo) alkyls] (as Hg)

Synonyms & Trade Names

Colloidal mercury, Mercury metal, Metallic mercury, Quicksilver

CAS No.

7439-97-6 (metal)

RTECS No.

OV4550000 (metal)

DOT ID & Guide

2809 172(metal)

Formula

Hg (metal)

Conversion

IDLH

10 mg/m³ (as Hg)
See: 7439976

Exposure Limits

NIOSH REL

NIOSH REL:
Hg Vapor: TWA 0.05 mg/m³ [skin]
Other: C 0.1 mg/m³ [skin]

OSHA PEL

TWA 0.1 mg/m³ See Appendix G

Measurement Methods

NIOSH 6009;
OSHA ID140
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods

Physical Description

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

Molecular Weight

200.6

Boiling Point

674°F

Freezing Point

-38°F

Solubility

Insoluble

Vapor Pressure

0.0012 mmHg

Ionization Potential

Specific Gravity

13.6 (metal)

Flash Point

Upper Explosive Limit

Lower Explosive Limit

Metal: Noncombustible Liquid

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

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

Exposure Routes

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

Symptoms

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

Target Organs

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

Personal Protection/Sanitation

(See protection codes)
Skin:Prevent skin contact
Eyes:No recommendation
Wash skin:When contaminated
Remove:When wet or contaminated
Change:Daily

First Aid

(See procedures)
Eye:Irrigate immediately
Skin:Soap wash promptly
Breathing:Respiratory support
Swallow:Medical attention immediately

Respirator Recommendations

Other mercury compounds: NIOSH/OSHA

Up to 1 mg/m³:
(APF = 10) Any chemical cartridge respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern†
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator

Up to 2.5 mg/m³:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern†(canister)

Up to 5 mg/m³:
(APF = 50) Any chemical cartridge respirator with a full facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern†
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern†
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 50) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern(canister)
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece

Up to 10 mg/m³:
(APF = 1000) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) 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 positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection

Mercury compounds [except (organo) alkyls] (as Hg)

NIOSH REL

OSHA PEL

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