- CHEMICAL DANGERS:
- Heating mercury vapor produces mercuric oxide, which is highly irritating to mucous membranes and more likely than elemental mercury vapor to adversely affect the lungs.
- Elemental mercury reacts with most metals.
- Elemental mercury reacts with many acids.
- Elemental mercury reacts vigorously with ground mixtures of sodium carbide.
- Mercury reacts with acetylenic compounds, ammonia, azides, oxygen, oxidants, and halogens.
- EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
- A violent heat-producing (exothermic) reaction, possibly an explosion, occurs when mercury comes in contact with chlorine dioxide, lithium, rubidium, halogens, or acetylide.
- Mercury and methyl azide are shock and electrical discharge sensitive.
- Pure dry ammonia and mercury do not react even under pressure and heat, but if water is present, a compound forms that can explode during depressurization.
- Upper and lower explosive (flammable) limits in air are not available for mercury.
- FIRE FIGHTING INFORMATION:
- Mercury is non-combustible.
- The agent itself does not burn, but it may react upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive, and/or toxic gases.
- Use an extinguishing agent suitable for the type of surrounding fire.
- Do not direct water at the heated metal.
- Run-off may pollute waterways.
- If the situation allows, control and properly dispose of run-off (effluent).
- INITIAL ISOLATION AND PROTECTIVE ACTION DISTANCES:
- When any large container is involved in a fire, consider initial evacuation for 0.33 mi (500 m) in all directions.
- This agent is not included in the DOT ERG2004 Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- In the DOT ERG 2004 orange-bordered section of the guidebook, there are public safety recommendations to isolate a mercury (Guide 172) spill or leak area immediately for at least 150 ft (50 m) in all directions.
- PHYSICAL DANGERS:
- Vapors are heavier than air and will collect and stay in poorly-ventilated or low-lying areas.
- Hazardous concentrations may develop quickly in enclosed, poorly-ventilated, or low-lying areas.
- NFPA 704 Signal:
- Health: 1
- Flammability: 0
- Reactivity: 0
- Special:
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