Mercurous oxide
Agent Name
Mercurous oxide
CAS Number
15829-53-5
Formula
Hg2-O
Major Category
Metals
Synonyms
Mercurous oxide (Hg2O); Mercury oxide; Mercury oxide (Hg2O); Mercury oxide black; Mercury(I) oxide; Quecksilberoxid [German]; [ChemIDplus] UN1641
Category
Mercury Compounds, Inorganic
Description
Black solid; [Hawley] Brown to black odorless powder; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
"Not a true compound but rather an intimate mixture of metallic mercury and mercuric oxide." [CAMEO]
Comments
Highly toxic by inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion; [CAMEO] May cause irritation; [MSDSonline] See "Mercuric oxide." See "Mercury, inorganic compounds" and the linked occupational disease.
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.025 mg/m3, as Hg
PEL (OSHA)
0.1 mg/m3, as Hg
MAK
0.02 mg/m3, as Hg, inhalable fraction
IDLH (NIOSH)
10 mg/m3, as Hg
Adverse Effects
Neurotoxin
Sensorimotor
Nephrotoxin
Yes
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.