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Mercury compounds [except (organo) alkyls] (as Hg)																				Related Pages
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)

FormulaHg (metal)
	Conversion
	IDLH
			10 mg/m3 (as Hg)See: 7439976

Exposure Limits
			NIOSH RELNIOSH REL:Hg Vapor: TWA 0.05 mg/m3 [skin]Other: C 0.1 mg/m3 [skin]
					OSHA PEL TWA 0.1 mg/m3See 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 Weight200.6	
	Boiling Point674°F
	Freezing Point-38°F
	SolubilityInsoluble
	Vapor Pressure0.0012 mmHg
	Ionization Potential?											
Specific Gravity13.6 (metal)	
	Flash PointNA
	Upper Explosive LimitNA
	Lower Explosive LimitNA
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 concernAny appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
				Important additional information about respirator selection
See also
			INTRODUCTION
					  ICSC CARD: 0056
					  MEDICAL TESTS: 0136

			
							

			Page last reviewed:  October 30, 2019						Content
							source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Introduction
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Appendices
A – NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens
B – Thirteen OSHA-Regulated Carcinogens
C – Supplementary Exposure Limits
D – Substances with No Established RELs
E – OSHA Respirator Requirements for Selected Chemicals
F – Miscellaneous Notes
G – 1989 Air Contaminants Update Project: Exposure Limits NOT in Effect
Type C & CE – Definitions for Type C and Type CE Respirators
Personal Protection and Sanitation Codes
First Aid Procedures Follow NIOSH Facebook
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