Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

JOHNSON MATTHEY MERCURY-THALLIUM

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

No use provided.

SYNONYMS

Hg, hydrargyrum, "liquid silver", "quick silver", "colloidal mercury", "quicksilver
mercury metal"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Danger of cumulative effects.
Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the
aquatic environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Severely toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 5 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  The material is considered to be harmful by all exposure routes.  Symptoms of ingestion within the first few minutes may include pain, profuse vomiting and severe purging and the victim may die within a few hours from peripheral vascular collapse secondary to fluid and electrolyte loss. Primary gastroenteritis may subside spontaneously within a few days but severe hemorrhagic inflammation of the colon (colitis) has occurred as late as 9 days following ingestion. A second phase developing over 1-3 days is characterized by stomatitis (lesions of the mouth parts), membranous colitis and kidney damage (tubular nephritis). This second phase is associated with a slow and prolonged excretion of mercury by salivary glands, the gastrointestinal mucosa and kidneys. Death in this phase usually occurs as a result of kidney failure.  The alimentary effects of many mercury compounds are so rapid that the course and outlook is largely determined by events within the first 5-10 minutes. Acute systemic mercurialism may be lethal within a few minutes or death may be delayed for 5-12 days. The ionizable salts are corrosive and tissue damage occurs almost immediately in the mouth, throat and esophagus.  

EYE

  The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  The material may be irritating to the eye, with prolonged contact causing inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may produce severely toxic effects; systemic effects may result following absorption and these may be fatal.  The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  Bare unprotected skin should not be exposed to this material.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  Exposure limits with "skin" notation indicate that vapor and liquid may be absorbed through intact skin. Absorption by skin may readily exceed vapor inhalation exposure. Symptoms for skin absorption are the same as for inhalation. Contact with eyes and mucous membranes may also contribute to overall exposure and may also invalidate the exposure standard.  The material may cause skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the skin.  

INHALED

  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  The material may produce respiratory tract irritation, and result in damage to the lung including reduced lung function.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  

  Primary route of exposure is usually by skin contact/absorption.  Mercury easily crosses the placenta and causes birth defects. Chronic exposure results in excess saliva production, loss of appetite, stomach upset, vague abdominal discomfort and mild diarrhea. The kidneys are rarely involved. Chronic mercury poisoning usually shows itself mainly as effects on the nervous system, especially the central nervous system. There may be tremors involving the hands and fingers, eyelids, cheeks, legs and tongue. Motor control may be impaired, leading to slurred or scanning speech and inco-ordinated walking. Disturbance with seeing or hearing may occur There may be behavior changes such as depression, despondency and fearfulness, often accompanied by sleep disturbance, headache and fatigue. Advanced cases show memory loss, hallucinations and deterioration in mental function. Other symptoms include a constant metallic taste, and various levels of gum inflammation, leading to periodontal disease and loosening of teeth. A dark blue line may occur along the gum margins. Uncommonly, a syndrome known as acrodynia ("pink disease") may occur, of which the major symptom is itchy scaling of the hands and feet.  Sensitization may give severe responses to very low levels of exposure, i.e. hypersensitivity. Sensitized persons should not be allowed to work in situations where exposure may occur.  Dentists with moderate long term mercury exposures show subtle behavioural  changes, tiredness, short term memory loss and impaired nerve conduction.  Tremor is regarded as indicator of long term, low level exposures. Fine  tremor of fingers, hands, arms, occasionally eyelids, lips and whole body.  [CHEMINFO 322]