Skip directly to local search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options
CDC Home

Enter search terms separated by spaces.

Mercury compounds [except (organo) alkyls] (as Hg)

Synonyms & Trade Names
Mercury metal: Colloidal mercury, Metallic mercury, Quicksilver
Synonyms of "other" Hg compounds vary depending upon the specific compound.
CAS No.
7439-97-6 (metal)
RTECS No.
OV4550000 (metal)
DOT ID & Guide
2809 172 (metal)
Formula
Hg (metal)
Conversion
IDLH
10 mg/m3 (as Hg)
See: 7439976
Exposure Limits
NIOSH REL
:
Hg Vapor: TWA 0.05 mg/m3 [skin]
Other: C 0.1 mg/m3 [skin]
OSHA PEL
†: TWA 0.1 mg/m3
Measurement Methods

NIOSH 6009;
OSHA ID140
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Physical Description
Metal: Silver-white, heavy, odorless liquid. [Note: "Other" Hg compounds include all inorganic & aryl Hg compounds except (organo) alkyls.]
MW:
200.6
BP:
674°F
FRZ:
-38°F
Sol:
Insoluble
VP:
0.0012 mmHg
IP:
?
Sp.Gr:
13.6 (metal)
Fl.P:
NA
UEL:
NA
LEL:
NA
Metal: Noncombustible Liquid
Incompatibilities & Reactivities
Acetylene, ammonia, chlorine dioxide, azides, calcium (amalgam formation), sodium carbide, lithium, rubidium, copper
Exposure Routes
inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms
irritation eyes, skin; cough, chest pain, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), bronchitis, pneumonitis; tremor, insomnia, irritability, indecision, headache, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion); stomatitis, salivation; gastrointestinal disturbance, anorexia, weight loss; proteinuria
Target Organs
Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, kidneys
Personal Protection/Sanitation
(See protection codes)
Skin: Prevent skin contact
Eyes: No recommendation
Wash skin: When contaminated
Remove: When wet or contaminated
Change: Daily
First Aid
(See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately
Skin: Soap wash promptly
Breathing: Respiratory support
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations

Mercury vapor:

NIOSH

Up to 0.5 mg/m3:
(APF = 10) Any chemical cartridge respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern†
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator

Up to 1.25 mg/m3:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern†(canister)

Up to 2.5 mg/m3:
(APF = 50) Any chemical cartridge respirator with a full facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern†
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern†
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 50) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern(canister)
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece

Up to 10 mg/m3:
(APF = 1000) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Other mercury compounds: NIOSH/OSHA

Up to 1 mg/m3:
(APF = 10) Any chemical cartridge respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern†
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator

Up to 2.5 mg/m3:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern†(canister)

Up to 5 mg/m3:
(APF = 50) Any chemical cartridge respirator with a full facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern†
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern†
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 50) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern(canister)
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece

Up to 10 mg/m3:
(APF = 1000) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection

See also: INTRODUCTION   See ICSC CARD: 0056   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0136
 

Order NIOSH Publications

Contact Us:
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 - cdcinfo@cdc.gov