Mercury, inorganic compounds

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. 477] Inorganic and elemental mercury can cause peripheral neuropathy. [LaDou, p. 431] 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] "Data show that elemental and a number of inorganic mercury compounds can be rapidly absorbed through the skin and contribute to the systemic toxicity." [ACGIH] Danger of skin sensitization; [MAK] In Haz-Map, only Mercury(II) acetate and Mercuric chloride are suspected skin sensitizers. See "Mercury, alkyl compounds," "Mercury, aryl compounds," and "Mercury."

Biomedical References

"This BEI applies only to exposures to elemental mercury." [ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values: 2013 Supplement to the 7th Edition]

Yes

Yes

0.025 mg/m3, as Hg

0.1 mg/m3, as Hg

0.02 mg/m3, as Hg, inhalable fraction

10 mg/m3, as Hg

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 #2

Sensorimotor

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Yes

Not classifiable

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Neuropathy, toxic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Metal Extraction and Refining
• Mining
• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)
• Petroleum Production and Refining
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides