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Safety and Health Topics: |
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| Mercury (Vapor) (as Hg) |
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General Description
Synonyms: Quicksilver
OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1631
IMIS Name History: Mercury, Inorganic (as Hg) prior to 9/1/89
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 7439-97-6
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: OV4550000 (metal)
Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2809 172 (metal)
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Mercury compounds [except (organo) alkyls] (as Hg): chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-2 Table -- 1 mg/10m3 Ceiling (see Directive CPL 2-2.6 - 0.1 mg/m3 TWA)
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 0.1 mg/m3 TWA; Skin
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 0.1 mg/m3 TWA; Skin
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 0.025 mg/m3 TWA; Skin; Appendix A4 - Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen; BEI (Listed under Mercury (Elemental and inorganic forms))
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 0.05 mg/m3 TWA; Skin (Listed under Hg Vapor)
Health Factors
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 10 mg/m3
Potential symptoms: Coughing, dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, bronchitis, pneumonitis; tremors; insomnia; irritability, emotional instability, cognitive and memory disturbances, speech disorders, excessive shyness; elevated body temperature, headaches; fatigue, weakness; slowed sensory and motor nerve function; inflammation and discoloration (blue line) of the gums, loose teeth; stomatitis; salivation; anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss; proteinuria; eye, skin irritation (raised red areas and blisters).
Health Effects: Acute and cumulative Nervous System Disturbances (HE7); Gastrointestinal effects/Gingivitis (HE3).
Affected organs: Skin, respiratory system, CNS, peripheral nervous system, kidneys, eyes
Notes: 1) May be absorbed through the skin as a vapor. Exposed clothes should not be taken home. 2) There is no odor warning when toxic concentrations are present. Contamination of the air by evaporation can occur quickly at room temperature. 3) The half-life (whole body) of inhaled mercury vapor is approximately 60 days. Thus, some symptoms may occur below the recommended limits due to long-term accumulation.
Date Last Revised: 05/05/2004
Literature Basis:
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Mercury compounds [except (organo) alkyls] (as Hg).
- International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Mercury.
- EPA Air Toxics Website: Mercury compounds. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
- Clarkson, T.W., Magos, L. and Myers, G.J.: The toxicology of mercury - current exposures and clinical manifestations. N. Engl. J. Med. 349(18): 1731-1737, 2003.
- Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Mercury. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1479-1482.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
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sampling media: Hydrar or Hopcalite tube (200 mg) SKC brand with a prefilter/cassette
maximum volume: 96 Liters minimum volume: 3 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (TWA)
current analytical method: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; AAS/Cold vapor
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-140)
method classification: Fully Validated
note: A prefilter, consisting of a mixed cellulose ester filter in a polystyrene cassette, is used with the active sampler. The prefilter assembly should be connected to the sampling tube with the minimum amount of Tygon tubing necessary. The filter of the sampler will be analyzed separately and reported as (Aryl and Inorganic) (as Hg) IMIS Code M111 based on the collection of particulate Mercury. The Hydrar or Hopcalite sorbent material will be analyzed and reported as Mercury (Vapor) (as Hg) IMIS Code 1631. These two results could then be combined to evaluate the transitional limit of TWA total Mercury, 1 mg/10m3, (Vapor and particulate).
On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: AUER/MSA
model/type: Hg-0.01, MSA P/N 497663, AUER P/N 5085-843
sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
upper measurement limit: 0.8 mg/m3
detection limit: approximately 0.005 mg/m3
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Dräger
model/type: Mercury Vapour 0.1/b, order no. CH 23101
sampling information: 1 to 40 strokes
upper measurement limit: 2 mg/m3
detection limit: approximately 0.02 mg/m3
overall uncertainty: approximately 50%
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Gastec
model/type: 40
sampling information: 0.5 to 5 strokes
upper measurement limit: 13.2 mg/m3
detection limit: 0.01 mg/m3
overall uncertainty: 16% for 0.25 to 2 mg/m3, 8% for 2 to 6 mg/m3
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
model/type: 8014-142S
sampling information: 1 or 5 strokes
upper measurement limit: 10 mg/m3
detection limit: approximately 0.05 mg/m3
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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