| Agent Name |
Mercury, elemental |
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| CAS Number |
7439-97-6 |
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| Formula |
Hg |
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| Major Category |
Metals |
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| Synonyms |
Quicksilver; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Elements, Metallic |
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| Description |
Metal: Silver-white, heavy, odorless liquid. [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
MINING, SMELTING, OR METALLURGY: Cinnabar ore mining and crushing operations; gold extraction (cyanide leaching or amalgamation processes);
MANUFACTURING: Thermometers, manometers & barometers; dental amalgam; polyurethane catalyst; switches & rectifiers; dry cell batteries; paints;
USING OR DISPOSING: Open mercury cells in chloralkali plant for maintenance; use mercury amalgams in dental office;
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| Comments |
Elemental liquid mercury is poorly absorbed from the GI tract, and it is considered nontoxic by ingestion in patients with normal GI anatomy and motility. Elemental mercury vapor is toxic predominantly to the lung and central nervous system. Pneumonitis can result from exposure to high concentrations of heated mercury vapor in a confined space. Otherwise, inhalation of mercury vapor is toxic over a period of months or years when levels exceed 0.05-0.2 mg/m3. The main adverse effects after chronic exposure to mercury vapor are neuropsychiatric and include tremor, memory loss, insomnia, anorexia, irritability, and other mood changes. Kidney disease and peripheral neuropathy have been rarely reported after chronic exposure to mercury vapor. Acrodynia is a rare idiosyncratic disorder reported in children after mercury vapor exposure. [Olson, p. 253-8] Data is limited on the fetal effects of mercury in forms other than methyl mercury. Experimental animals exposed to high doses of mercury vapor and salts have increased developmental abnormalities. [ATSDR Case Studies #29] Mercury may produce slight hepatic injury in experimental animals. [Zimmerman, p. 419] Background levels of mercury are generally < 10 ug/L for whole blood and <20 ug/L for urine. Regarding dental amalgams as a source of mercury vapor, occupational exposures can be controlled and personal exposures from fillings are insignificant. [Goldfrank, p. 1334-42] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR - ToxFAQs - Mercury |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| BEI |
Total inorganic Hg in urine = 35 ug/g creatinine; sample pre-shift; Total inorganic Hg in blood = 15 ug/L; sample at end of shift at end of workweek; |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
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| Bioaccumulates |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.02 mg/m3 |
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| PEL (OSHA) | Ceiling(OSHA) = 0.1 mg/m3 |
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| MAK |
0.1 mg/m3 |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
10 mg/m3 |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
A single 4 hr. dose of 28.8 mg/m3 of mercury vapor caused severe damage to the kidneys , lungs and colon of rabbits, while a one hr. exposure caused mild injury. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
0.0012 mm Hg |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LCLo (rabbits) = 29 mg/m3/30 hr |
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| Explanatory Notes |
"Animal studies indicate that elemental mercury as a liquid or vapor can be absorbed percutaneously." Organic mercury is readily absorbed through skin. [ATSDR Case Studies] Boiling point = 674 degrees F. [NIOSH] |
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| Half Life |
Metallic and inorganic in whole body: 1-2 months; blood: 2 days to 1 month; methylmercury in blood: 1 month; methylmercury in whole body: 44-79 days; [TDR, p. 813] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR Medical Management - Mercury |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Neurotoxin |
Sensorimotor Neuropathy |
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| Nephrotoxin |
Yes |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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| IARC Carcinogen |
Not Classifiable |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: MERCURY, ELEMENTAL
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