| Agent Name | Dimethylmercury |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 593-74-8 |
| Formula | C2-H6-Hg |
| Major Category | Metals |
| Synonyms | Methylmercury; [ChemIDplus] Mercury dimethyl; [Olson, p. 622] Dimethyl mercury; [ICSC] |
| Category | Metals, Organic Compounds |
| Description | Clear liquid with a mild sweet odor; [Olson, p. 622] Flammable liquid, insoluble in water; [Sullivan, p. 979] |
| Sources/Uses | Used as a chemical reagent; Along with monomethyl mercury, it is found as an environmental contaminant in birds and fish. [Merck Index] |
| Comments | 1-2 drops on a latex glove caused CNS damage (ataxia, dysarthria, auditory and visual effects) and death of a research chemist; [Olson, p. 701] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause severe effects on the CNS; A reproductive toxin; [ICSC] The methyl mercury ion (CH3Hg+) is conjugated with thiol-containing molecules in the body and is not found free and unbound. [Nordberg, p. 1046] Symptoms of chronic methylmercury poisoning (Minamata disease) include incoordination, paralysis, and abnormal reflexes. [Sullivan, p. 980] See "Mercury, alkyl compounds" and linked occupational diseases. |
| Exposure Assessment | |
| Skin Designation (ACGIH) | Yes |
| Bioaccumulates | Yes |
| TLV (ACGIH) | 0.01 mg/m3, as Hg |
| STEL (ACGIH) | 0.03 mg/m3, as Hg |
| PEL (OSHA) | 0.01 mg/m3, Ceiling(OSHA) = 0.04 mg/m3, as Hg |
| IDLH (NIOSH) | 2 mg/m3, as Hg |
| Vapor Pressure | 62.3 mm Hg |
| Adverse Effects | |
| Neurotoxin | Other CNS Neurotoxin |
| Nephrotoxin | Yes |
| Reproductive Toxin | Yes |
| IARC Carcinogen | Possible Carcinogen |
| Links to Other NLM Databases | |
| Health Studies | Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: |
| Toxicity Information | |
| Chemical Information | |
| Biomedical References | |
| Related Information in HazMap | |
| Diseases | Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: |
Agent Name
Dimethylmercury
CAS Number
593-74-8
Formula
C2-H6-Hg
Major Category
Metals
Synonyms
Methylmercury; [ChemIDplus] Mercury dimethyl; [Olson, p. 622] Dimethyl mercury; [ICSC]
Category
Metals, Organic Compounds
Description
Clear liquid with a mild sweet odor; [Olson, p. 622] Flammable liquid, insoluble in water; [Sullivan, p. 979]
Sources/Uses
Used as a chemical reagent; Along with monomethyl mercury, it is found as an environmental contaminant in birds and fish. [Merck Index]
Comments
1-2 drops on a latex glove caused CNS damage (ataxia, dysarthria, auditory and visual effects) and death of a research chemist; [Olson, p. 701] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause severe effects on the CNS; A reproductive toxin; [ICSC] The methyl mercury ion (CH3Hg+) is conjugated with thiol-containing molecules in the body and is not found free and unbound. [Nordberg, p. 1046] Symptoms of chronic methylmercury poisoning (Minamata disease) include incoordination, paralysis, and abnormal reflexes. [Sullivan, p. 980] See "Mercury, alkyl compounds" and linked occupational diseases.
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
Bioaccumulates
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.01 mg/m3, as Hg
STEL (ACGIH)
0.03 mg/m3, as Hg
PEL (OSHA)
0.01 mg/m3, Ceiling(OSHA) = 0.04 mg/m3, as Hg
IDLH (NIOSH)
2 mg/m3, as Hg
Vapor Pressure
62.3 mm Hg
Adverse Effects
Neurotoxin
Other CNS Neurotoxin
Nephrotoxin
Yes
Reproductive Toxin
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Possible Carcinogen
Links to Other NLM Databases
Toxicity Information
Chemical Information
Biomedical References
Related Information in HazMap