| Agent Name | Mercury, inorganic compounds |
|---|---|
| Formula | Hg*** |
| Major Category | Metals |
| Synonyms | Water-soluble mercury compounds: chlorides, nitrates, chlorates, cyanide, fluorides, and bromides; Water-insoluble compounds: oxides and sulfides. [ACGIH] |
| Category | Mercury Compounds, Inorganic |
| Sources/Uses | A by-product of gold and bauxite mining; Used in pigments, refining, lubrication oils, catalysts, and in water-based paints as a preservative and mildewcide; [ACGIH] |
| Comments | Ingestion (non-occupational) is the usual route of exposure. Inorganic mercury poisoning causes acute hemorrhagic gastroenteritis followed by acute tubular necrosis. In cases of acute poisoning, whole blood mercury levels usually exceed 50 ug/dL. [Sullivan, p. 872] Chronic exposure to inorganic mercury may produce proteinuria as evidence of kidney injury. [LaDou, p. 427] Inorganic and elemental mercury can cause peripheral neuropathy. [LaDou, p. 380] Ammoniated mercury is a moderate skin sensitizer, and mercuric chloride is a strong sensitizer. Mercury can produce slight hepatic injury in experimental animals. [Zimmerman, p. 419] Data is limited on the fetal effects of mercury in forms other than methyl mercury. Experimental animals exposed to high doses of mercury vapor and salts have increased developmental abnormalities. [ATSDR Case Studies #17] See "Mercury, alkyl compounds," "Mercury, aryl compounds," and "Mercury, elemental." |
| Exposure Assessment | |
| BEI | Total inorganic Hg in urine = 35 ug/g creatinine; sample pre-shift; Total inorganic Hg in blood = 15 ug/L; sample at end of shift at end of workweek; |
| Skin Designation (ACGIH) | Yes |
| Bioaccumulates | Yes |
| TLV (ACGIH) | 0.02 mg/m3, as Hg |
| PEL (OSHA) | 0.1 mg/m3, as Hg |
| MAK | 0.02 mg/m3 |
| IDLH (NIOSH) | 10 mg/m3, as Hg |
| Half Life | Metallic and inorganic in whole body: 1-2 months; blood: 2 days to 1 month; methylmercury in blood: 1 month; methylmercury in whole body: 44-79 days; [TDR, p. 813] |
| Reference Link | |
| Adverse Effects | |
| Nephrotoxin | Yes |
| Reproductive Toxin | Yes |
| Neurotoxin | Sensorimotor Neuropathy |
| Hepatotoxin | Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
| IARC Carcinogen | Not Classifiable |
| Links to Other NLM Databases | |
| Toxicity Information | |
| Related Information in HazMap | |
| Diseases | Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: |
| Processes | Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: |
Agent Name
Mercury, inorganic compounds
Formula
Hg***
Major Category
Metals
Synonyms
Water-soluble mercury compounds: chlorides, nitrates, chlorates, cyanide, fluorides, and bromides; Water-insoluble compounds: oxides and sulfides. [ACGIH]
Category
Mercury Compounds, Inorganic
Sources/Uses
A by-product of gold and bauxite mining; Used in pigments, refining, lubrication oils, catalysts, and in water-based paints as a preservative and mildewcide; [ACGIH]
Comments
Ingestion (non-occupational) is the usual route of exposure. Inorganic mercury poisoning causes acute hemorrhagic gastroenteritis followed by acute tubular necrosis. In cases of acute poisoning, whole blood mercury levels usually exceed 50 ug/dL. [Sullivan, p. 872] Chronic exposure to inorganic mercury may produce proteinuria as evidence of kidney injury. [LaDou, p. 427] Inorganic and elemental mercury can cause peripheral neuropathy. [LaDou, p. 380] Ammoniated mercury is a moderate skin sensitizer, and mercuric chloride is a strong sensitizer. Mercury can produce slight hepatic injury in experimental animals. [Zimmerman, p. 419] Data is limited on the fetal effects of mercury in forms other than methyl mercury. Experimental animals exposed to high doses of mercury vapor and salts have increased developmental abnormalities. [ATSDR Case Studies #17] See "Mercury, alkyl compounds," "Mercury, aryl compounds," and "Mercury, elemental."
Exposure Assessment
BEI
Total inorganic Hg in urine = 35 ug/g creatinine; sample pre-shift; Total inorganic Hg in blood = 15 ug/L; sample at end of shift at end of workweek;
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
Bioaccumulates
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.02 mg/m3, as Hg
PEL (OSHA)
0.1 mg/m3, as Hg
MAK
0.02 mg/m3
IDLH (NIOSH)
10 mg/m3, as Hg
Half Life
Metallic and inorganic in whole body: 1-2 months; blood: 2 days to 1 month; methylmercury in blood: 1 month; methylmercury in whole body: 44-79 days; [TDR, p. 813]
Reference Link
Adverse Effects
Nephrotoxin
Yes
Reproductive Toxin
Yes
Neurotoxin
Sensorimotor Neuropathy
Hepatotoxin
Hepatotoxin, Secondary
IARC Carcinogen
Not Classifiable
Links to Other NLM Databases
Toxicity Information
Related Information in HazMap
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: