# NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Mercury compounds [except (organo) alkyls] (as Hg) | CAS 7439-97-6 (metal)
Hg (metal) | RTECS OV4550000 (metal)
Synonyms & Trade Names Mercury metal: Colloidal mercury, Metallic mercury, Quicksilver Synonyms of "other" Hg compounds vary depending upon the specific compound. | DOT ID & Guide 2809 172 (metal)
Exposure Limits | NIOSH REL: Hg Vapor: TWA 0.05 mg/m3 [skin] Other: C 0.1 mg/m3 [skin]
OSHA PEL†: C 0.1 mg/m3
IDLH 10 mg/m3 (as Hg) | Conversion
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
Measurement Methods NIOSH 6009; OSHA ID140
Personal Protection & Sanitation 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/PAPRTS(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/PAPRTS(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
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
See also: INTRODUCTION