Make yourself aware of the real hazards of mercury and how to avoid poisoning yourself, others or the environment. Below is a MSDS on Mercury.
|Section 1 - Chemical Product and Company Identification|
MSDS Name: Mercury, 99.999%
Catalog Numbers: AC193480000, AC193480500
Synonyms: Colloidal mercury; Hydrargyrum; Metallic mercury; Quick silver; Liquid silver
|Section 2 - Composition, Information on Ingredients|
|Section 3 - Hazards Identification|
Appearance: silver liquid. Danger! Corrosive. Harmful if inhaled. May be
absorbed through intact skin. Causes eye and skin irritation and
possible burns. May cause severe respiratory tract irritation with
possible burns. May cause severe digestive tract irritation with
possible burns. May cause liver and kidney damage. May cause central
nervous system effects. This substance has caused adverse
reproductive and fetal effects in animals. Inhalation of fumes may
cause metal-fume fever. Possible sensitizer.
Target Organs: Blood, kidneys, central nervous system, liver, brain.
Potential Health Effects
Eye: Exposure to mercury or mercury compounds can cause discoloration on
the front surface of the lens, which does not interfere with vision.
Causes eye irritation and possible burns. Contact with mercury or
mercury compounds can cause ulceration of the conjunctiva and
Skin: May be absorbed through the skin in harmful amounts. May cause skin sensitization, an allergic reaction, which becomes evident upon re-exposure to this material. Causes skin irritation and possible burns. May cause skin rash (in milder cases), and cold and clammy skin with cyanosis or pale color.
Ingestion: May cause severe and permanent damage to the digestive tract. May cause perforation of the digestive tract. May cause effects similar to those for inhalation exposure. May cause systemic effects.
Inhalation: Causes chemical burns to the respiratory tract. Inhalation of fumes may cause metal fume fever, which is characterized by flu-like symptoms with metallic taste, fever, chills, cough, weakness, chest pain, muscle pain and increased white blood cell count. May cause central nervous system effects including vertigo, anxiety, depression, muscle incoordination, and emotional instability. Aspiration may lead to pulmonary edema. May cause systemic effects. May cause respiratory sensitization.
Chronic: May cause liver and kidney damage. May cause reproductive and fetal effects. Effects may be delayed. Chronic exposure to mercury may cause permanent central nervous system damage, fatigue, weight loss, tremors, personality changes. Chronic ingestion may cause accumulation of mercury in body tissues. Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause inflammation of the mouth and gums, excessive salivation, and loosening of the teeth.
|Section 4 - First Aid Measures|
Eyes: Get medical aid immediately. Do NOT allow victim to rub eyes or keep
eyes closed. Extensive irrigation with water is required (at least 30
Skin: Get medical aid immediately. Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Destroy contaminated shoes.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical aid immediately. Wash mouth out with water.
Inhalation: Get medical aid immediately. Remove from exposure and move to fresh air immediately. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Do NOT use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration using oxygen and a suitable mechanical device such as a bag and a mask.
Notes to Physician: The concentration of mercury in whole blood is a reasonable measure of the body-burden of mercury and thus is used for monitoring purposes. Treat symptomatically and supportively. Persons with kidney disease, chronic respiratory disease, liver disease, or skin disease may be at increased risk from exposure to this substance.
Antidote: The use of d-Penicillamine as a chelating agent should be determined by qualified medical personnel. The use of Dimercaprol or BAL (British Anti-Lewisite) as a chelating agent should be determined by qualified medical personnel.
|Section 5 - Fire Fighting Measures|
General Information: As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in
pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full
protective gear. Water runoff can cause environmental damage. Dike
and collect water used to fight fire. During a fire, irritating and
highly toxic gases may be generated by thermal decomposition or
Extinguishing Media: Substance is nonflammable; use agent most appropriate to extinguish surrounding fire. Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or appropriate foam.
Flash Point: Not applicable.
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable.
Explosion Limits, Lower:Not available.
Upper: Not available.
NFPA Rating: (estimated) Health: 3; Flammability: 0; Instability: 0
|Section 6 - Accidental Release Measures|
General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated
in Section 8.
Spills/Leaks: Absorb spill with inert material (e.g. vermiculite, sand or earth), then place in suitable container. Avoid runoff into storm sewers and ditches which lead to waterways. Clean up spills immediately, observing precautions in the Protective Equipment section. Provide ventilation.
|Section 7 - Handling and Storage|
Handling: Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and
wash before reuse. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Keep
container tightly closed. Do not get on skin or in eyes. Do not
ingest or inhale. Use only in a chemical fume hood. Discard
contaminated shoes. Do not breathe vapor.
Storage: Keep container closed when not in use. Store in a tightly closed container. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances. Keep away from metals. Store protected from azides.
Engineering Controls: Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower. Use only under a chemical fume hood.
|Chemical Name||ACGIH||NIOSH||OSHA - Final PELs|
|Mercury||0.025 mg/m3 TWA; Skin - potential significant contribution to overall exposure by the cutaneous r oute||0.05 mg/m3 TWA (vapor) 10 mg/m3 IDLH||0.1 mg/m3 Ceiling|
OSHA Vacated PELs: Mercury: 0.05 mg/m3 TWA (vapor)
Personal Protective Equipment
Eyes: Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical safety goggles as described by OSHA's eye and face protection regulations in 29 CFR 1910.133 or European Standard EN166.
Skin: Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin exposure.
Clothing: Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirators: A respiratory protection program that meets OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant respirator use.
|Section 9 - Physical and Chemical Properties|
Physical State: Liquid
pH: Not available.
Vapor Pressure: 0.002 mm Hg @ 25C
Vapor Density: 7.0
Evaporation Rate:Not available.
Viscosity: 15.5 mP @ 25 deg C
Boiling Point: 356.72 deg C
Freezing/Melting Point:-38.87 deg C
Decomposition Temperature:Not available.
Specific Gravity/Density:13.59 (water=1)
|Section 10 - Stability and Reactivity|
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures.
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, incompatible materials.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials: Metals, aluminum, ammonia, chlorates, copper, copper alloys, ethylene oxide, halogens, iron, nitrates, sulfur, sulfuric acid, oxygen, acetylene, lithium, rubidium, sodium carbide, lead, nitromethane, peroxyformic acid, calcium, chlorine dioxide, metal oxides, azides, 3-bromopropyne, alkynes + silver perchlorate, methylsilane + oxygen, tetracarbonylnickel + oxygen, boron diiodophosphide.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Mercury/mercury oxides.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
|Section 11 - Toxicological Information|
CAS# 7439-97-6: OV4550000
CAS# 7439-97-6: Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, NTP, or CA Prop 65.
Epidemiology: Intraperitoneal, rat: TDLo = 400 mg/kg/14D-I (Tumorigenic - equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria - tumors at site of application).
Teratogenicity: Inhalation, rat: TCLo = 1 mg/m3/24H (female 1-20 day(s) after conception) Effects on Embryo or Fetus - fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus).
Reproductive Effects: Inhalation, rat: TCLo = 890 ng/m3/24H (male 16 week(s) pre-mating) Paternal Effects - spermatogenesis (incl. genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count).; Inhalation, rat: TCLo = 7440 ng/m3/24H (male 16 week(s) pre-mating) Fertility - post-implantation mortality (e.g. dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants).
Mutagenicity: Cytogenetic Analysis: Unreported, man = 150 ug/m3.
Neurotoxicity: The brain is the critical organ in humans for chronic vapor exposure; in severe cases, spontaneous degeneration of the brain cortex can occur as a late sequela to past exposure.
Ecotoxicity: Fish: Rainbow trout: LC50 = 0.16-0.90 mg/L; 96 Hr;
UnspecifiedFish: Bluegill/Sunfish: LC50 = 0.16-0.90 mg/L; 96 Hr;
UnspecifiedFish: Channel catfish: LC50 = 0.35 mg/L; 96 Hr;
UnspecifiedWater flea Daphnia: EC50 = 0.01 mg/L; 48 Hr;
Unspecified In aquatic systems, mercury appears to bind to dissolved matter or
fine particulates, while the transport of mercury bound to dust
particles in the atmosphere or bed sediment particles in rivers and
lakes is generally less substantial. The conversion, in aquatic
environments, of inorganic mercury cmpd to methyl mercury implies
that recycling of mercury from sediment to water to air and back
could be a rapid process.
Environmental: Mercury bioaccumulates and concentrates in food chain (concentration may be as much as 10,000 times that of water). Bioconcentration factors of 63,000 for freshwater fish and 10,000 for salt water fish have been found. Much of the mercury deposited on land, appears to revaporize within a day or two, at least in areas substantially heated by sunlight.
Physical: All forms of mercury (Hg) (metal, vapor, inorganic, or organic) are converted to methyl mercury. Inorganic forms are converted by microbial action in the atmosphere to methyl mercury.
Other: No information available.
MSDS Creation Date: 6/15/1999
Revision #5 Date: 3/16/2007