MERCURY MSDS
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
1: Chemical Product Identification
Product Name: Mercury
Catalogue Codes: SLM3505, SLM1363
CAS#: 7439-97-6
RTECS: OV4550000
TSCA: TSCA 8(b) inventory: Mercury
CI#: Not applicable.
Synonym: Quick Silver; Colloidal Mercury; Metallic Mercury; Liquid Silver; Hydragyrum
Chemical Name: Mercury
Chemical Formula: Hg
2. Composition and Information on Ingredients
Toxicological Data on Ingredients: Mercury LD50: Not available. LC50: Not available.
3: Hazards Identification
Potential Acute Health Effects:
Very hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive, permeator). Liquid or spray mist may produce tissue damage particularly on mucous membranes of eyes, mouth and respiratory tract. Skin contact may produce burns. Inhalation of the spray mist may produce severe irritation of respiratory tract, characterized by coughing, choking, or shortness of breath. Severe over-exposure can result in death.
Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or, occasionally, blistering.
Potential Chronic Health Effects:
Hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator).
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Classified A5 (Not suspected for human.) by ACGIH. 3 (Not classifiable for human.) by IARC.
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available. The substance may be toxic to blood Repeated or prolonged exposure to spray mist may produce respiratory tract irritation leading to frequent attacks of bronchial infection. Repeated exposure to a highly toxic material may produce general deterioration of health by an accumulation in one or many human organs.
4: First Aid Measures
Eye Contact: Check for and remove any contact lenses. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Cold water may be used. WARM water MUST be used. Get medical attention immediately.
Skin Contact: In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse. Get medical attention immediately.
Serious Skin Contact: Wash with a disinfectant soap and cover the contaminated skin with an anti-bacterial cream. Seek immediate medical attention.
Inhalation: If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention immediately.
Serious Inhalation: Evacuate the victim to a safe area as soon as possible. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. If the victim is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. WARNING: It may be hazardous to the person providing aid to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when the inhaled material is toxic, infectious or corrosive. Seek immediate medical attention.
Ingestion: Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If large quantities of this material are swallowed, call a physician immediately. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband.
Serious Ingestion: Not available.
5: Fire and Explosion Data
Flammability of the Product: Non-flammable.
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Not applicable.
Flash Points: Not applicable.
Flammable Limits: Not applicable.
Products of Combustion: Not available.
Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Not applicable.
Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances:
Risks of explosion of the product in presence of mechanical impact: Not available.
Risks of explosion of the product in presence of static discharge: Not available.
Fire Fighting Media and Instructions: Not applicable.
Special Remarks on Fire Hazards:
When thrown into mercury vapor, boron phosphodiiodide ignites at once. Flame forms with chlorine jet over mercury surface at 200 deg to 300 deg C. Mercury undergoes hazardous reactions in the presence of heat and sparks or ignition.
Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards:
A violent exothermic reaction or possible explosion occurs when mercury comes in contact with lithium and rubidium. CHLORINE DIOXIDE & LIQUID HG, WHEN MIXED, EXPLODE VIOLENTLY. Mercury and Ammonia can produce an explosive compound. A mixture of the dry carbonyl and oxygen will explode on vigorous shaking with mercury. Methyl azide in the presence of mercury was shown to be potentially explosive.
6: Accidental Release Measures
Small Spill: Absorb with an inert material and put the spilled material in an appropriate waste disposal.
Large Spill: Corrosive liquid. Poisonous liquid. Stop leak if without risk. Absorb with DRY earth, sand or other non-combustible material. Do not get water inside container. Do not touch spilled material. Use water spray curtain to divert vapor drift. Use water spray to reduce vapours. Prevent entry into sewers, basements or confined areas; dike if needed. Call for assistance on disposal. Be careful that the product is not present at a concentration level above TLV. Check TLV on the MSDS and with local authorities.
7: Handling and Storage
Precautions:
Keep locked up. Keep container dry. Do not ingest. Do not breathe gas/fumes/ vapor/spray. Never add water to this product. In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment. If ingested, seek medical advice immediately and show the container or the label. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Keep away from incompatibles such as oxidizing agents, metals.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed. Keep container in a cool, well-ventilated area. Do not store above 25°C (77°F).
8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Engineering Controls:
Provide exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls to keep the airborne concentrations of vapours below their respective threshold limit value. Ensure that eyewash stations and safety showers are proximal to the workstation location.
Personal Protection:
Face shield. Full suit. Vapor respirator. Be sure to use an approved/certified respirator or equivalent. Gloves. Boots.
Personal Protection in Case of a Large Spill:
Splash goggles. Full suit. Vapor respirator. Boots. Gloves. A self-contained breathing apparatus should be used to avoid inhalation of the product. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient; consult a specialist BEFORE handling this product.
Exposure Limits:
TWA: 0.025 from ACGIH (TLV) [United States] SKIN TWA: 0.05 CEIL: 0.1 (mg/m3) from OSHA (PEL) [United States]
Inhalation TWA: 0.025 (mg/m3) [United Kingdom (UK)] Consult local authorities for acceptable exposure limits.
9: Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical state and appearance: Liquid. (Heavy liquid)
odour: Odourless.
Taste: Not available.
Molecular Weight: 200.59 g/mole
Colour: Silver-white
pH (1% soln/water): Not available.
Boiling Point: 356.73°C (674.1°F)
Melting Point: -38.87°C (-38°F)
Critical Temperature: 1462°C (2663.6°F)
Specific Gravity: 13.55 (Water = 1)
Vapor Pressure: Not available.
Vapor Density: 6.93 (Air = 1)
Volatility: Not available.
odour Threshold: Not available.
Water/Oil Dist. Coeff.: Not available.
Iconicity (in Water): Not available.
Dispersion Properties: Not available.
Solubility: Very slightly soluble in cold water.
10: Stability and Reactivity Data
Stability: The product is stable.
Instability Temperature: Not available.
Conditions of Instability: Incompatible materials
Incompatibility with various substances: Reactive with oxidizing agents, metals.
Corrosivity: Non-corrosive in presence of glass.
Special Remarks on Reactivity:
Ground mixtures of sodium carbide and mercury, aluminium, lead, or iron can react vigorously. A violent exothermic reaction or possible explosion occurs when mercury comes in contact with lithium and rubidium. Incompatible with boron diiodo phosphide; ethylene oxide; metal oxides, metals (aluminium, potassium, lithium, sodium, rubidium); methyl azide; methylsilane, oxygen; oxidants (bromine, peroxyformic acid, chlorine dioxide, nitric acid, tetracarbonynickel, nitromethane, silver perchlorate, chlorates, sulfuric acid, nitrates,); tetracarbonylnickel, oxygen, acetylinic compounds, ammonia, ethylene oxide, methylsiliane, calcium,
Special Remarks on Corrosivity:
The high mobility and tendency to dispersion exhibited by mercury, and the ease with which it forms alloys (Amalga) with many laboratory and electrical contact metals, can cause severe corrosion problems in laboratories. Special precautions: Mercury can attack copper and copper alloy materials.
Polymerization: Will not occur.
11: Toxicological Information
Routes of Entry: Absorbed through skin. Dermal contact. Eye contact. Inhalation. Ingestion.
Toxicity to Animals: LD50: Not available. LC50: Not available.
Chronic Effects on Humans: CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Classified A5 (Not suspected for human.) by ACGIH. 3 (Not classifiable for human.) by IARC.
May cause damage to the following organs: blood, kidneys, liver, brain, peripheral nervous system, central nervous system (CNS).
Other Toxic Effects on Humans:
Very hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive, permeator).
Special Remarks on Toxicity to Animals: Not available.
Special Remarks on Chronic Effects on Humans: May affect genetic material. May cause cancer based on animal data. Passes through the placental barrier in animal. May cause adverse reproductive effects (paternal effects- spermatogenesis; effects on fertility – fetotoxicity, post-implantation mortality), and birth defects.
Special Remarks on other Toxic Effects on Humans:
12: Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity: Not available.
BOD5 and COD: Not available.
Products of Biodegradation:
Possibly hazardous short-term degradation products are not likely. However, long term degradation products may arise.
Toxicity of the Products of Biodegradation: The products of degradation are less toxic than the product itself.
Special Remarks on the Products of Biodegradation: Not available.
13: Disposal Considerations
Waste Disposal: Waste must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local environmental control regulations.
14: Transport Information
DOT Classification: Class 8: Corrosive material
Identification: Mercury UNNA: 2809 PG: III
Special Provisions for Transport: Not available.
15: Other Regulatory Information
Other Regulations:
OSHA: Hazardous by definition of Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). EINECS: This product is on the European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances.
Protective Equipment: Gloves. Full suit. Vapor respirator. Be sure to use an approved/certified respirator or equivalent. Wear appropriate respirator when ventilation is inadequate. Face shield.
16: Other Information
References: Not available.
Other Special Considerations: Not available
EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY
All information and instructions provided in this Material Safety Data Sheet in respect of the substance is given solely in terms of the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act No 85 of 1993 and Regulations (“the Act”), is based on scientific and technical knowledge as at the date indicated on this MS Material Safety Data Sheet and is presented in good faith to be correct.
The information and instructions provided in this MSDS apply only to the substance in its present form and not to any formulation or mix, in which event it is the sole responsibility of the user of the substance as formulated and/or mixed to investigate and establish any danger which may arise out of its use, wherever such user may be situated.
It is the sole responsibility of the person in receipt of this Material Safety Data Sheet wherever such recipient may be situated, to ensure that the information provided is communicated to and understood by any person who may come in contact with the substance in any place and in any manner whatsoever. If such recipient produces formulations or mixes using the substance, then it is such recipient’s sole responsibility to comply with the provisions of the Act in respect of the provision of the necessary Material Safety Data Sheet, or to comply with any other applicable legislation.