Mercuric compounds Byung Joon Lim 5/14/2013

Dr. Karen Wetterhahn ( ) A professor of chemistry at Dartmuth college Studied the toxicity of heavy metals A few drops of dimethylmercury on the protective latex gloves After six months, she suddenly became ill and died due to mercury poisoning Surprisingly, she was taking all required PPE known at that time.

Mercury Elemental mercury –Volatile and very toxic liquid Inorganic mercury (Salts) –Toxic and corrosive –Mercury fulminate (HgONC) 2 : Detonator –Mercury (II) oxide: Strong oxidant Organic mercury –Alkyl mercury: Extremely toxic and highly flammable –Aryl mercury: Various toxicity. Less toxic than alkyl ones c.f. Merbromine (mercurochrome) – Used as antiseptic

Toxicity ALL forms of mercury are very toxic! Attack central nerve system Tremors, impaired vision and hearing, and paralysis Bioaccumulate in food chains Poisoned by inhalation and direct absorption through SKIN SubstanceThreshold Limit Value (TLV) Elemental mercury0.025 mg/m 3 Inorganic mercury0.025 mg/m 3 Aryl mercury0.1 mg/m 3 Alkyl mercury0.01 mg/m 3

Handling Similar to other toxic materials All PPEs –Lab coats, safety goggles, and proper gloves Always in fume hood Contact to EHS when you handle very toxic alkylmercuric compounds

Waste disposal Similar to other toxic materials EVERY waste should be stored in the fume hood until they can be removed from the lab. All mixtures containing mercury in any form must be disposed of as mercury contaminated waste and handled separately.

Mercury spilling Small spill –Collect droplets by hard papers or pipets –Use mercury spill kit: Amalgamate the mercury to avoid vapor emission –Or Call EHS Larger spill (more than a thermometer) –Evacuate immediately and isolate the place –Call EHS –Lower the room temperature

Alkylmercury spilling Evacuate immediately and isolate the place Call EHS De-energize all sources of ignition