Common Name: Mercury CAS Number: 7439-97-6 DOT Number: UN 2809 Date: October, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Mercury can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * High exposure can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can cause death. * Repeated exposures can cause Mercury poisoning with kidney disease, tremors, gum problems, trouble remembering and concentrating and changes in mood. * Long-term exposure can cause clouding of the eyes. * Mercury is a corrosive chemical. IDENTIFICATION Mercury is a silvery heavy liquid. It is used in thermometers, barometers, vapor lamps, mirror coating, and in making chemicals and electrical equipment. REASON FOR CITATION * Mercury is on the RTK Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH and DEP. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is CORROSIVE. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. ----------------------------------------- WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.1 mg/m3, not to be exceeded at any time. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.05 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit for Mercury Vapor is 0.05 mg/m3, averaged over an 8-hour workshift. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Mercury and at the end of the workshift. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Mercury to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Mercury: * Exposure to high levels of Mercury vapor can irritate the lungs,causing cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath and fever. This usually begins one to four hours after exposure and can go on to fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and death. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Mercury and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Mercury has been tested and has not been shown to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * There is limited evidence that Mercury may cause an increase in spontaneous abortions in exposed women. * Organic Mercury substances (organic substances are those which contain carbon) have been identified as human teratogens. While inorganic Mercury substances (those without carbon) have not been shown to be human teratogens, they still should be handled with caution as they may cause reproductive problems in males and females. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated low exposure or a very high single exposure can cause Mercury poisoning. Symptoms include tremors (shaking), trouble remembering and concentrating, gum problems, increased salivation, loss of appetite and weight, and changes in mood and personality. These can be severe and cause hallucinating and psychosis. * Repeated vapor exposures (usually more than five years) can cause clouding of the eye lens. * Mercury may cause a skin allergy. If allergy develops, very low future exposures can cause itching and a skin rash. * Exposure can cause kidney damage. * Mercury may lower sex drive. Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater, or significant skin contact), the following are recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Exam of the nervous system (including handwriting test to detect early hand tremor). * Urine Mercury level (usually less than 0.02 mg/Liter). * Kidney function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Consider chest x-ray after acute over-exposure. * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Vigorous periodic cleaning of all work surfaces. * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Mercury from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Occupational Exposure to Mercury #73-11024. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Mercury should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Mercury. * On skin contact with Mercury, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Mercury, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Mercury is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * For clean-up use a specialized charcoal-filtered vacuum or suction pump to avoid generating Mercury vapor. Care should be taken not to disturb spilled material. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Mercury. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * Non absorbent materials are recommended. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid mercury, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Where potential exists for exposure to Mercury vapor over 0.05 mg/m3 8-hour average airborne exposure, but less than 0.5 mg/m3, use an MSA half-mask facepiece with belt-mounted "Mersorb" cartridges. These cartridges have end of service life indicators which visually indicate when filters must be changed. For this reason filters are belt-mounted for visibility. This is the only commercially available air filtering respirator approved by MSHA/ NIOSH for Mercury. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges, or canisters to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. * Where the potential for exposures above 0.5 mg/m3 exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode. * Exposure to 28 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 28 mg/m3 exists use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. Common Name: Mercury DOT Number: UN 2809 DOT Emergency Guide code: 60 CAS Number: 7439-97-6 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY Not Found REACTIVITY Not Found ----------------------------------------- POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE CORROSIVE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Mercury may burn, but does not readily ignite. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE. * Use water to keep fire exposed containers cool. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Mercury is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. * Spills should be collected with special Mercury vapor suppressants or special vacuums. Kits specific for clean-up of Mercury spills are available. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Mercury as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Mercury you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Mercury must be stored to avoid contact with CHLORINE DIOXIDE, NITRIC ACID, NITRATES, ETHYLENE OXIDE, CHLORINE and METHYLAZIDE since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from ACETYLENE, AMMONIA and NICKEL. * Mercury may initiate fires of other combustible materials. FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 0.0012 mm Hg at 68oF Water Solubility: Insoluble Other Names and Formulations: Colloidal Mercury; Quick Silver. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Elemental mercury is a heavy and relatively inert liquid which is oxidized to inorganic mercury (II) under natural conditions. Mercury (II) may combine with an organic fraction to from methylmercury. Both mercury (II) and methylmercury are of environmental concern. Mercury (II) may enter the environment in industrial or municipal waste treatment discharges, from previously contaminated sediments, and from the weathering of natural rocks. Bacteria may then convert it into methylmercury. The concentration of mercury (II) in bodies of water may be elevated with acid rain due to the scouring of mercury from the air and increased partitioning from the sediment into the water. ACUTE (SHORT TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Mercury(II) and methylmercury has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short term effects of mercury (II) or methylmercury to plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Mercury (II) and methylmercury have high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Eating fish contaminated with mercury residues has caused secondary poisoning in humans: birds or land animals similarly exposed to mercury and its compounds could also be subject to such effects. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of mercury and its compounds to plants. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Mercury is highly persistent in water, with a half-life greater than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of mercury(II) and methylmercury found in fish tissues is expected to be considerably higher than the average concentration of mercury(II) or methylmercury in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL, Duluth, U.S.EPA, Phytotox.