ELECTRONIC SPACE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL
1050 Benson Way, Ashland, OR 97520
Toll Free (800) 638-2581 * Fax (541) 488-8313
E-Mail: sales@espimetals.com
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
I PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Mercu ry Hg
Trade Name: Form ula:
Metallic mercury, quicksilver 7439-9 7-6
Synonyms: CAS #:
II HAZAR DOUS INGRED IENTS
Hazardous Component % OSHA/PEL ACGIH/TLV
0.1 m g (H g)/m 3 0.05 mg (Hg )/m 3 TW A
0-100
Mercury
III PHYSICAL DATA
357 oC -39 oC
Boiling Point: Freezing/Melting Point:
0.0012 mm Hg @ 20 oC
13.6 g/cc
Specific Gravity: Vapor Pressure:
7.0 Insoluble
Vapo r Density: Solubility in H 2O:
Silver-white, he avy , mo bile, liqu id m etal. N/E or N /A
Appearance and Odor: % Vo latile:
IV FIRE AND EXPLOSION H AZARDS DATA
Flash Point (Method used): N/A Autoignition Temperature: N/A
Flam mab le Limits: Lower: N/A Upper: N/A
Extingu ishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray or foam. For larger fires, use water spray, fog or alcohol foam
(1984 Emergency Response Guidebook, DOT P 5800.3)
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: Firefighters m ust w ear fu ll face, self-con tained breathing apparatus and full pro tective clothing to
prevent contact with skin and eyes. Move containers from area if possible. Cool containers exposed to flames with water from side
until w ell after fire is out (1 984 Em ergency Resp onse Guideboo k, DOT P 58 00.3 ). Use agen ts suitable for ty pe of fire. Use water in
flooding am oun ts as a fog. Avoid breathing corro sive an d po isono us va pors. Kee p up wind.
Unusual Fire & Explosion Hazard: May burn but does not ignite readily. Flammable, poisonous gases may accumulate in tanks
and h opp er cars. M ay ignite co mb ustibles (wo od, paper, oil). Ma y em it toxic mercury and m ercury oxide v apors.
V HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Effects of Exposure:
Elem ental m ercury, liqu id and vapor, is toxic d ue to its liquid so lubility, lack o f charge, and m em bran e perme ability.
Inhaled vapo rs (80% ) diffuse rapidly throu gh alve olar m embranes into the bloo d and are system ically transported to bo dy tissues,
including the brain. E xpo sure to high concentrations (>1.2 m g/m 3) of vap ors for brief p eriods can cause pneum onitis, chest pains,
dyspne a, cou ghin g. La ter, stom atitis, ging ivitis, and salivatio n occur. M ercury can be abso rbed slow ly thro ugh the skin. Ch ronic
symptoms involve the central nervous system, with tremors and various neuropsychiatric disturbances. The TLV would be exceeded
if the contents of a small mercury clinical thermom eter were dispersed in a closed 100' 脳 100' 脳 15' room. Gastrointestinal uptake of
mercury is low (<5%).
Acute E ffects:
Inhalation: Inhalation of a high concentration of mercury vapor can cause almost immediate dyspnea, cough, fever, nausea and
vom iting, diarrhea, stom atitis, salivation an d m etallic taste. Symp toms may resolve or may progress to necro tizing bron chiolitis,
pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, and pneumothorax.
Ingestion: When ingested, necrosis begins immediately in the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach. Within a few minutes, violent
pain, profuse vomiting, and severe purging may occur. Patient may die within a few minutes from fluid/electrolyte losses and
peripheral vascu lar collapse, bu t death (from urem ia) is usually delay ed 5 to 1 2 day s.
Skin : May cause redness and irritation. Substance may be absorbed through intact skin causing anuria.
Eye: Contact may cause irritation. Solu tions are corrosive an d m ay cau se corne al injury or b urns.
Chro nic Effects:
Inhalation: Inhalation of mercury vapor or dusts over a long period causes mercurialism. Findings extremely variable and include
tremors, salivation, stomatitis, loosening of teeth, blue lines on gums, pain and numbness in extremities, nephritis, diarrhea, anxiety,
headache, weight loss, anorexia, mental depression, insomnia, irritability and instability, hallucinations and evidence of mental
deterioration.
Ingestion: No data
Skin : No data
Eye: Mercury m ay be d eposited in the lens of the eye, cau sing visual disturbances.
EMERG ENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES:
INHALATION: Remove to fresh air, give oxygen if breathing is difficult. Seek medical attention.
INGESTION: Gastric lavage with 5% solution of sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, followed by 2% NaHO 3, and finally leave 250
cc of the sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate in the stomach.
SK IN: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash affected area with soap and water. Seek medical attention.
EYE: Flush with running water, including under eyelids, for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.
VI REACTIVITY DATA
Stability: Stable
Co nditio ns to Av oid: Thermal decomposition.
Incom patibility: Violent reaction: acetylenic compounds, ammonia, boron, diiodophosphide, ethylene oxide, metals (aluminum,
potassium, lithium, sodium, rubidium) m ethyl azide, methyl silane, oxygen, oxidants (bromine, peroxyformic acid, chlorine dioxide,
nitric acid, tetracarbonylnickel, nitromethan e, silver perchlorate).
Haz ardous D ecomposition Produc ts: Toxic m ercury vapo rs and m ercury oxides.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
VII SPILL AND LEAK PRO CEDURES
Steps to Be Taken in Case Material is Released or Spilled: DO NOT TOUCH SPILLED MATERIAL. Stop leak if you can do
it without risk. For small spills, take up with sand or other absorb ent material and place into containers for later disposal. A mercury
spill kit may also be used for small spills in the workplace. For larger spills, dike far ahead of spill for later disposal. Keep
unnecessary people away. Isolate hazard area and deny entry.
Waste Disposal Method: Dispose o f in accord ance w ith State, Federal and L ocal regu lations.
VIII SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
Respiratory Protection: Self-co ntained breathing appa ratus can be used up to 5 m g/m 3 with a full fac e piece abo ve 1 mg /m 3.
Positiv e pressure-type air supplied breathin g equipm ent has been recom me nde d above 5 m g/m 3.
Ventilation: Minimize vapor exposure by using a local exhaust. Operations requiring an exposed mercury surface should reduce the
-Mercury 2-
temperature of mercury to limit vaporization. General exhaust is recommended.
Protective Gloves: Wear rubber glove s.
Eye/Face Protection: Chem ical safety glasses.
Other Protective Clothing or Equipment: Wear protective clothing appropriate for the work situation. Separate work and street
clothing. Store wo rk clothing in special lockers. Show ers to be take n befo re chan ging to street clothes.
IX SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
Precautions to Be Taken in Handling and Storage: Store in closed unbreakable containers (polyethylene) in a cool, dry,
well-ventilated area away from sources of heat. Protect containers from physical damage.
Wo rk Practices: Implement engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain concentration of exposure. Use good
housekeeping and sanitation practices. Do not use tobacco or food in work area. Wash thoroughly before eating or smoking. Shower
and ch ange clothes at the en d of the w ork shift. Do not blow dust off cloth ing or skin with co mp ressed air. M aintain eyewash
capable of sustained flushing, safety drench shower and facilities for washing.
Other Precautions: Mercury evaporates very slowly. Spilled mercury forms many tiny globules that will evaporate faster than a
single poo l and can d evelop a significant co ncentration of vapors in an unve ntilated area. Such vapors can be poiso nou s, especially if
breathed over a long period of time. Heated mercury evolves high levels of toxic vapors. Provide replacement and periodic medical
exams for those regularly exposed to mercury, with emphasis directed to central nervous system, skin, lungs, liver, kidneys and
gastro intestina l tract.
The abo ve inform ation is believ ed to be co rrect, but do es no t purp ort to b e all inclu sive an d sha ll be used only as a gu ide.
ESPI shall not be held liab le for any d am age resulting from h and ling o r from contact with the abov e pro duc t.
Issued by: S. Dierks
Date: April 1993
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