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) See: merc-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
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Personal Protection & Sanitation (See protection)
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
Important additional information about respirator selection
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   See MEDICAL TESTS: 0135