Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HACH MERCURIC NITRATE STANDARD SOLUTION 0.0141 N

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Reagent for determination of chloride.

SYNONYMS

M00229, "chloride reagent", "determination of chloride"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Danger of cumulative effects.
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.
Irritating to eyes and skin.
Harmful 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.  Ingestion may result in nausea, abdominal irritation, pain and vomiting.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  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

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  The liquid may produce eye discomfort causing smarting, pain and redness.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may produce severely toxic effects; systemic effects may result following absorption and these may be fatal.  This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  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.