# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Mercury (organo) alkyl compounds (as Hg) | CAS
| RTECS
Synonyms & Trade Names Synonyms vary depending upon the specific (organo) alkyl mercury compound. | DOT ID & Guide
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: TWA 0.01 mg/m3 ST 0.03 mg/m3 [skin]
OSHA PEL†: TWA 0.01 mg/m3 C 0.04 mg/m3
IDLH 2 mg/m3 (as Hg) | Conversion
Physical Description Appearance and odor vary depending upon the specific (organo) alkyl mercury compound.
Properties vary depending upon the specific (organo) alkyl mercury compound. |  |  |
Incompatibilities & Reactivities Strong oxidizers such as chlorine
Measurement Methods None available
Personal Protection & Sanitation Skin: Prevent skin contact Eyes: Prevent eye contact Wash skin: When contaminated Remove: When wet or contaminated Change: Daily Provide: Eyewash, Quick drench | First Aid (See procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately Skin: Soap wash immediately Breathing: Respiratory support Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH/OSHA Up to 0.1 mg/m3: (APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator Up to 0.25 mg/m3: (APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode Up to 0.5 mg/m3: (APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode/(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece/(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece Up to 2 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: Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Routes inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Paresthesia; ataxia, dysarthria; vision, hearing disturbance; spasticity, jerking limbs; dizziness; salivation; lacrimation (discharge of tears); nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; skin burns; emotional disturbance; kidney injury; possible teratogenic effects
Target Organs Eyes, skin, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, kidneys
See also: INTRODUCTION