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. 622] 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: |