Distributed By: MSDS 046
Invensys Foxboro Foxboro Rev Date: April 2007
Foxboro, MA 02035 U.S.A. Part Numbers 0016776, 001677, 0017033
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Mercury
Material Safety Data Sheet Collection
MER8040
Temp: was 0026.html
DSC61 RTF Template version: 2006-06-05-00
Issue Date: 2006-06
Section 1 - Chemical Product and Company Identification 61
Material Name: Mercury CAS Number: 7439-97-6
Chemical Formula: Hg
EINECS Number: 231-106-7
ACX Number: X1002555-9
Synonyms: COLLOIDAL MERCURY; HYDRARGYRUM; KWIK; LIQUID SILVER; MERCURE; MERCURIO;
MERCURY; MERCURY (ELEMENTAL); MERCURY METAL: COLLOIDAL MERCURY;
MERCURY,METALLIC; METALLIC MERCURY; QUECKSILBER; QUICK SILVER; QUICKSILVER;
QUICKSILVER SYNONYMS OF; RTEC
Derivation: Obtained by roasting cinnabar (mercury sulfide) and purified by distillation, or as a by-product of gold
mining.
General Use: Used in agricultural poisons, anti-fouling paint, dental amalgams, mining amalgamation (to remove gold
and other metals from ore), thermometers, barometers, dry cell batteries, chlorine and caustic soda production,
electrical apparatus, and as a neutron absorber in nuclear power plants.
Section 2 - Composition / Information on Ingredients
Name CAS %
Mercury ca 100% wt
OSHA PEL NIOSH REL DFG (Germany) MAK
3 3 3
Ceiling: 0.1 mg/m . Hg Vapor: TWA: 0.05 mg/m ; TWA: 0.1 mg/m ; PEAK: 0.8
3 3
skin; Ceiling: 0.1 mg/m ; skin. mg/m ; danger of sensitization of
ACGIH TLV the skin.
3
TWA: 0.025 mg/m ; skin. IDLH Level
3
10 mg/m (as Hg).
Section 3 - Hazards Identification
ChemWatch Hazard Ratings
HMIS
0 Flammability
4 Health
Toxicity
4 0 Body Contact 0 Flammability
Reactivity
鈥? 0 Reactivity
Chronic
0 1 2 3 4
Min Low Moderate High Extreme
Fire Diamond
ANSI Signal Word
Danger!
Poison Corrosive
Emergency Overview
Heavy silver-white liquid metal; odorless. Corrosive. Poison. Other Acute Effects: irreversible nervous system
damage.
Potential Health Effects
Target Organs: Central nervous system, eyes, skin, respiratory system, liver, kidneys.
Primary Entry Routes: Inhalation, eye and skin contact/absorption.
Copyright 漏 2006 by Genium Group, Inc. Any commercial use or reproduction without the publisher鈥檚 permission is prohibited. Judgments as to the suitability of information herein for the purchaser鈥檚
purposes are necessarily the purchaser鈥檚 responsibility. Although reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of such information, Genium Group, Inc. extends no warranties, makes no
representations, and assumes no responsibility as to the accuracy or suitability of such information for application to the purchaser鈥檚 intended purpose or for consequences of its use.
MSDS 046
Part Numbers 0016776,
001677, 0017033
Page 2 of 5
2006-06 Mercury MER8040
Acute Effects The onset of signs and symptoms usually is prompt, but may be delayed up to 12 hr.
Systemic Effects by all routes: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, excessive salivation, sweating, headache,
giddiness, vertigo (dizziness), weakne ss, blurring or dimness of vision, miosis or mydiasis (dilatation of the pupils),
tearing, bradycardia (slow heart beat), tachycardia (fast heart beat), cardiac irregularities (arrhythmias, compl ete heart
block), loss of muscle coordination, slurred speech, muscle twitching (particularly tongue and eyelids), generalized
profound weakness, confusion, disorientation, drowsiness, difficulty in breathing, excessive secretion of saliva and
mucus, cyanosis, rales, high blood pressure, random jerky movements, incontinence, convulsions, coma, and death due
to respiratory paralysis.
Inhalation: Exposure to high vapor concentrations can cause severe respiratory damage. Other symptoms include
wakefulness, muscle weakness, anorexia, headache, ringing in the ear, headache, diarrhea, liver changes, fever,
gingivitis, chest pain, difficulty breathing, cough, inflammation of the mouth (stomatitis), salivation, bronchitis, and
pneumonitis. Acrodynia (pink or Swifts disease), characterized by redness and peeling of the skin on the toes and
fingers, was commonly seen in children in the 1950s and is still infrequently seen in workers.
Eye: Irritation and corrosion.
Skin: Skin can become severely irritated if allowed to remain in contact with mercury. Skin absorption will occur at
2.2% of the rate of absorption through the lungs.
Ingestion: Mercury generally passes through the digestive tract uneventfully. However, large amounts may get caught
up in the intestine and require surgical removal. If an abscess or other perforation is present along the digestive tract,
absorption into the blood stream with subsequent mercury poisoning is possible.
Carcinogenicity: NTP - Not listed; IARC - Group 3, Not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans; OSHA - Not
listed; NIOSH - Not listed; ACGIH - Not listed; EPA - Class D, Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity; MAK -
Not listed.
Medical Conditions Aggravated by Long-Term Exposure: Central nervous system disorders.
Chronic Effects: Chronic exposure appears more common than acute and is primarily associated with central nervous
system damage which can be permanent (ex. paresthesia of the hands, lips, feet). Early signs of toxicity include
weakness, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, and gastrointestinal disturbances. If exposure levels are high, characteristic
tremors of the fingers, eyelids, and lips occur with progression to generalized tremors of the entire body. Psychic
disorders are noticeable and characterized by behavior and personality changes, increased excitability, memory loss,
insomnia, and depression. In severe cases, delirium and hallucinations may occur. Kidney damage is observed with
oliguria (decreased urine output) progressing to anuria (urine cessation) and may require dialysis. The cornea and lens
of the eyes may take on a brownish discoloration and the extraocular muscles may be damaged. This syndrome has
been termed Asthenic-Vegetative Syndrome or Micromercurialism. Chronic symptoms occur increasingly with
3
exposures to 0.1 mg/m or higher. Mutation: Aneuploidy and other chromosomal aberrations have been observed in the
lymphocytes from whole blood cultures in workers exposed to mercury. Reproductive: Mercury has been detected in
stillborn babies of women treated with mercury for syphilis. In a study of six men acutely exposed (occupationally) to
3
mercury levels as high as 44 mg/m , all suffered impaired sexual function. Repeated skin contact may cause allergic
dermatitis in some individuals.
Note: Spilled mercury will release sufficient vapor over time to produce chronic poisoning.
Section 4 - First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Remove exposed person to fresh air and support breathing as needed.
See
Eye Contact: Do not allow victim to rub or keep eyes tightly shut. Gently lift eyelids and flush
DOT
immediately and continuously with flooding amounts of water until transported to an emergency
medical facility. Consult a physician immediately. ERG
Skin Contact: Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Rinse with flooding amounts of water and
then wash exposed area with soap. For reddened or blistered skin, consult a physician.
Ingestion: Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious or convulsing person. Contact a poison control center. In
general, mercury will pass through the digestive tract uneventfully.
After first aid, get appropriate in-plant, paramedic, or community medical support.
Note to Physicians: BEI: blood (15 碌g/L), urine: (35 碌g/g creatinine). Extremely high urine levels of 0.5 to 0.85 mg
Hg/L are indicative of polyneuropathy. 0.4 to 22 碌g/L is reported to be the human lethal blood level. Obtain urinalysis
including at a minimum: albumin, glucose, and a microscopic examination of centrifuged sediment. Use BAL or 2, 3-
dimercaptosuccinic acid as chelators. Do not use calcium sodium EDTA because of nephrotoxicity. An
electromyograph may determine extent of nerve dysfunction. It has been noted that exposure to mercury may
predispose persons to development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Page 2 of 5
Copyright 漏 2006 Genium Group, Inc. Any commercial use or reproduction without the publisher鈥檚 permission is prohibited.
MSDS 046
Part Numbers 0016776,
001677, 0017033
Page 3 of 5
2006-06 Mercury MER8040
Section 5 - Fire-Fighting Measures
Flash Point: Nonflammable
See
Autoignition Temperature: Nonflammable
DOT
LEL: None reported.
0
UEL: None reported. ERG
Extinguishing Media: Use agents suitable for surrounding fire.
4 0
General Fire Hazards/Hazardous Combustion Products: Toxic mercury vapor and
mercuric oxide.
鈥?
Fire-Fighting Instructions: Do not release runoff from fire control methods to sewers or
waterways. Because fire may produce toxic thermal decomposition products, wear a self-
contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand
or positive-pressure mode. Fire Diamond
Section 6 - Accidental Release Measures
Spill/Leak Procedures: Keep a mercury spill kit readily available in areas where mercury is used.
See
Notify safety personnel, isolate and ventilate area, deny entry, and stay upwind.
DOT
Small Spills: Small and Large Spills: Follow instructions on mercury spill kit. Most kits come with
an aspiration-driven vacuum trap with a mercury "sweeper" (copper or copper-plated brush). Wash ERG
spill area with a dilute calcium sulfide or nitric acid solution. If spill cannot be taken up readily, dust
the top of the spill with flowers of sulfur or preferably, calcium polysulfide. This will produce a surface coating of
mercury sulfide which will reduce mercury vapor dispersion into the air.
Large Spills: No data found.
Regulatory Requirements: Follow applicable OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.120).
Section 7 - Handling and Storage
Handling Precautions: Use appropriate PPE when working with mercury. Do not use on porous work surfaces (wood,
unsealed concrete, etc.) to prevent spills from lodging in cracks.
Never eat, drink, or smoke in work areas. Practice good personal hygiene after using this material, especially before
eating, drinking, smoking, using the toilet, or applying cosmetics.
Recommended Storage Methods: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat and incompatibles (Sec.
10). Store on non- porous floors and wash them regularly with a dilute calcium sulfide solution. Because mercury will
form amalgamations with most metals except iron, metal shelves should be painted with a sufficiently thick coating to
prevent this from happening.
Regulatory Requirements: Follow applicable OSHA regulations.
Section 8 - Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
Engineering Controls: Wherever possible, enclose processes to prevent mercury vapor dispersion into work area.
Provide general or local exhaust ventilation systems to maintain airborne concentrations below OSHA PELs (Sec. 2).
Local exhaust ventilation is preferred because it prevents contaminant dispersion into the work area by controlling it at
its source.
Administrative Controls: Consider pre-placement and periodic medical exams of exposed workers with emphasis on
the skin, eyes, central nervous system, liver, and kidneys.
Personal Protective Clothing/Equipment: Wear chemically protective gloves, boots, aprons, and gauntlets made of
butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, neoprene rubber, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated polyethylene, or
polycarbonate to prevent prolonged or repeated skin contact. Wear protective eyeglasses or chemical safety goggles,
per OSHA eye- and face-protection regulations (29 CFR 1910.133). Contact lenses are not eye protective devices.
Appropriate eye protection must be worn instead of, or in conjunction with contact lenses.
Respiratory Protection: Seek professional advice prior to respirator selection and use. Follow OSHA respirator
3
regulations (29 CFR 1910.134) and, if necessary, wear a MSHA/NIOSH-approved respirator. For <= 0.5 mg/m , use
any chemical cartridge respirator with cartridges providing protection against mercury and equipped with an ESLI
3
(end of service life indicator), any SCBA, or any SAR (supplied-air respirator). For <= 1.25 mg/m , use any SAR
3
operated in continuous-flow mode, any PAPR (powered, air-purifying respirator) with an ESLI. For <= 2.5 mg/m ,
use any SCBA or SAR with a full facepiece, any SAR with a tight-fitting facepiece and operated in continuous-flow
mode, or any chemical cartridge respirator with a full facepiece, chemical cartridges providing protection against
3
mercury, and equipped with an ESLI. For <=28 mg/m , use any SAR operated in pressure- demand or other positive-
pressure mode. For emergency or nonroutine operations (cleaning spills, reactor vessels, or storage tanks), wear an
SCBA with full facepiece and operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. Warning! Air- purifying
respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres. If respirators are used, OSHA requires a written
respiratory protection program that includes at least: medical certification, training, fit-testing, periodic environmental
monitoring, maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and convenient, sanitary storage areas.
Page 3 of 5
Copyright 漏 2006 Genium Group, Inc. Any commercial use or reproduction without the publisher鈥檚 permission is prohibited.
MSDS 046
Part Numbers 0016776,
001677, 0017033
Page 4 of 5
2006-06 Mercury MER8040
Other: Separate contaminated work clothes from street clothes. Launder before reuse. Remove this material from your
shoes and clean personal protective equipment. Make emergency eyewash stations, safety/quick-drench showers, and
washing facilities available in work area.
Section 9 - Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance/General Info: Silvery-white, odorless.
Physical State: Liquid metal Critical Temperature: 2664 掳F (1462 掳C)
Vapor Pressure (kPa): 0.0018 mm Hg at 77 掳F (25 掳C) Critical Pressure: 1587 atm
Formula Weight: 200.59 Water Solubility: 0.28 碌mol/L at 77 掳F (25 掳C)
3
Density: 13.534 g/cm at 77 掳F (25 掳C) Other Solubilities: Soluble in boiling sulfuric acid,
nitric acid (reacts); slightly in lipids, and 2.7 mg/L in
Boiling Point: 674.09 掳F (356.72 掳C)
pentane. Insoluble in alcohol, ether, cold sulfuric acid,
Freezing/Melting Point: -37.97 掳F (-38.87 掳C)
hydrogen bromide, and hydrogen iodide.
Viscosity: 15.5 mP at 77 掳F (25 掳C)
Surface Tension: 484 dyne/cm at 77 掳F (25 掳C)
Section 10 - Stability and Reactivity
Stability/Polymerization/Conditions to Avoid: Mercury does not tarnish at ordinary temperatures but when heated to
near its boiling point, it slowly oxidizes to mercuric oxide. Hazardous polymerization does not occur. Exposure to high
temperatures, metal surfaces or incompatibles.
Storage Incompatibilities: Mercury forms alloys (amalgamates) with most metals except iron. It is incompatible with
oxidizers such as bromine, 3-bromopropyne, methylsilane + oxygen, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, nitric acid, or
peroxyformic acid; tetracarbonyl nickel + oxygen, alkynes + silver perchlorate, ethylene oxide, acetylenic compounds
(explosive), ammonia (explosive), boron phosphodiiodide, methyl azide, nitromethane, and ground sodium carbide.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal oxidative decomposition of mercury can produce mercuric oxide.
Section 11 - Toxicological Information
Acute Oral Effects:
Man, oral, TDLo: 43 mg/kg caused tremor and jaundice or other liver changes.
Acute Inhalation Effects:
3
Woman, inhalation, TCLo: 150 碌g/m /46 days caused anorexia, diarrhea, and wakefulness.
3
Man, inhalation, TCLo: 44300 碌g/m /8 hr caused muscle weakness, liver changes, and increased body temperature.
Acute Skin Effects:
Man, skin, TDLo: 129 mg/kg for 5 continuous hours caused ringing in the ears, headache, and allergic dermatitis.
Other Effects:
3
Rat, inhalation: 1 mg/m / 24 hr for 5 continuous weeks caused proteinuria.
3
Rat, inhalation: 890 ng/m /24 hr for 16 weeks prior to mating had an effect on spermatogenesis.
See RTECS OV4550000, for additional data.
Section 12 - Ecological Information
Environmental Fate: Mercury is expected to volatilize rapidly when deposited on soil surfaces. Once in the air, it can
be transported long distances before being redeposited on soil or in water. In water, mercury appears to bind to
particulates where it eventually becomes deposited on the bed sediment. In general, mercury entering the environment
can be deposited and revolatilized several times.
Ecotoxicity: Catfish, LC50 = 0.35 mg/L/96 hr; mollusk (Modiolus carvalhoi), LC50 = 0.19 ppm/96 hr: tadpole (Rana
hexadactyla), LC50 = 0.051 ppm/96 hr. Mercury is transformed to methyl mercury by bacteria in the environment and
undergoes bioaccumulation readily. BCF for freshwater fish = 63,000; for saltwater fish = 10,000; and for marine and
freshwater invertebrates = 100,000.
Section 13 - Disposal Considerations
Disposal: Incineration is not an appropriate disposal method. Wastewater may be treated by addition of chlorine to
oxidize the mercury to its ionic state. The water can then be passed through an absorbent (an activated charcoal
concentrate with a sulfur coating or peanut shell charcoal) to collect the ionic mercury, followed by distillation to
recover the mercury. Sodium borohydride, a reducing agent, can be used to precipitate mercury from waste solutions.
Bioremediation, using Pseudomonas putida, has also been suggested. Contact your supplier or a licensed contractor for
detailed recommendations. Follow applicable Federal, state, and local regulations.
Page 4 of 5
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MSDS 046
Part Numbers 0016776,
001677, 0017033
Page 5 of 5
2006-06 Mercury MER8040
Section 14 - Transport Information
DOT Hazardous Materials Table Data (49 CFR 172.101):
Shipping Name and Description: Mercury
ID: UN2809
Hazard Class: 8 - Corrosive material
Packing Group: III - Minor Danger
Symbols: A W
Label Codes: 8 - Corrosive
Special Provisions:
Packaging: Exceptions: 164 Non-bulk: 164 Bulk: 240
Quantity Limitations: Passenger aircraft/rail: 35 kg Cargo aircraft only: 35 kg
Vessel Stowage: Location: B Other: 40, 97
Section 15 - Regulatory Information
EPA Regulations:
RCRA 40 CFR: Listed U151 Toxic Waste
CERCLA 40 CFR 302.4: Listed per RCRA Section 3001, per CWA Section 307(a), per CAA Section 112 1 lb
(0.454 kg)
SARA 40 CFR 372.65: Listed
SARA EHS 40 CFR 355: Not listed
TSCA: Listed
Section 16 - Other Information
Disclaimer: Judgments as to the suitability of information herein for the purchaser鈥檚 purposes are necessarily the purchaser鈥檚
responsibility. Although reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of such information, Genium Group, Inc. extends no
warranties, makes no representations, and assumes no responsibility as to the accuracy or suitability of such information for
application to the purchaser鈥檚 intended purpose or for consequences of its use.
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Copyright 漏 2006 Genium Group, Inc. Any commercial use or reproduction without the publisher鈥檚 permission is prohibited.
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