416 lines
17 KiB
Plaintext
416 lines
17 KiB
Plaintext
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Common Name: Mercuric Oxycyanide
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CAS Number: 1335-31-5
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DOT Number: UN 1642
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Date: September 28, 1987
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-----------------------------------------
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HAZARD SUMMARY
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* Mercuric Oxycyanide can affect you when breathed and by
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passing through skin.
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* Overexposures can cause kidney damage.
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* Mercury poisoning can cause "shakes", irritability, sore gums,
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memory loss, increased saliva, personality change and even
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permanent brain damage.
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* Skin contact can cause irritation, skin allergy, or a gray
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skin color.
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* Eye contact causes irritation.
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* Heating or use near acid can release toxic Mercury and Cyanide
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vapors.
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* Health effects have been reported below NIOSH exposure levels.
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IDENTIFICATION
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Mercuric Oxycyanide is a white crystalline powder (sugar or sand-
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like). It has been used in medicine as a topical antiseptic.
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REASON FOR CITATION
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* Mercuric Oxycyanide is on the Hazardous Substance List because
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it is cited by NIOSH, ACGIH and DOT.
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HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED
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* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
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evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air
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samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your
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employer. You have a legal right to this information under
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OSHA 1910.20.
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* If you think you are experiencing any work-related health
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problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
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diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
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WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
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OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
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0.1 mg/m3 for Mercury and inorganic compounds measured as
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Mercury, not to be exceeded at any time.
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NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.05 mg/m3
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averaged over an 8 hour workshift for Mercury, inorganic,
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and measured as Mercury.
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ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.1 mg/m3 for
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inorganic compounds and 0.05 mg/m3 of Mercury vapor
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averaged over an 8-hour workshift and measured as
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Mercury.
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* The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin
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contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air
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levels are less than the limits listed above.
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WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
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* Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
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ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust
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ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be
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worn.
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* Wear protective work clothing.
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* Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Mercuric
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Oxycyanide and at the end of the workshift.
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* Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
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addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort,
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communicate all information on the health and safety hazards
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of Mercuric Oxycyanide to potentially exposed workers.
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This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential
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and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure.
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Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other
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factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential
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effects described below.
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HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
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Acute Health Effects
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The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
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immediately or shortly after exposure to Mercuric Oxycyanide:
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* Mercuric Oxycyanide can affect you when breathed in and by
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passing through your skin.
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* Direct contact causes eye irritation and possible damage and
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may irritate the skin.
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* Heating or contact with acid or acid mist causes release of
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toxic Mercury and Cyanide vapors and lung effects of
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bronchitis and phlegm and/or lung irritation. Overexposure to
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Cyanide can cause sudden death.
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* Breathing Mercuric Oxycyanide causes irritation of the throat
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and air passages.
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Chronic Health Effects
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The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some
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time after exposure to Mercuric Oxycyanide and can last for months
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or years:
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Cancer Hazard
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* According to the information presently available to the New
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Jersey Department of Health, Mercuric Oxycyanide has not been
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tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals.
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Reproductive Hazard
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* Mercuric Oxycyanide has not been tested for its ability to
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cause reproductive damage, but it should be HANDLED WITH
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CAUTION since some related Mercury compounds damage the
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developing fetus and decrease fertility in males and females.
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* Organic Mercury substances (organic substances are those which
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contain carbon) have been identified as human teratogens.
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While inorganic Mercury substances (those without carbon) such
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as Mercuric Oxycyanide have not been shown to be human
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teratogens, they still should be handled with caution as they
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may cause reproductive problems in males and females.
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Other Long-Term Effects
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* High or repeated exposure can cause kidney damage or Mercury
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poisoning. Mercury poisoning causes sore gums, "shakes"
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(often with shaky handwriting), irritability and increased
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saliva. Other changes may include memory loss, extreme
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shyness, weakness, poor appetite and metallic taste. Serious
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personality changes and brain damage may occur, especially if
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exposure continues.
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* Repeated skin contact may make the skin turn gray.
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* Exposure can also cause brown staining in the eye and may
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affect peripheral vision (the ability to see to the side).
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* Skin allergy may also occur. If this happens, even small
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future exposures can cause rash.
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* Mercury can accumulate in the body with repeated exposure. It
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can take months or years for the body to get rid of excess
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Mercury.
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MEDICAL
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Medical Testing
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Before first exposure and every 6 to 12 months after, a complete
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medical history and exam is strongly recommended, with:
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* Exam of the nervous system, including handwriting.
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* Routine urine test (UA).
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* Urine test for Mercury (should be less than 0.02 mg/liter).
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* Eye exam.
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After suspected illness or overexposure, repeat the tests above AND
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get a blood test for Mercury.
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Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present
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symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already
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done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies
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of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this
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information under OSHA 1910.20.
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Mixed Exposures
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Creams to whiten or bleach skin may contain Mercury; if so, their
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use increases risk.
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Conditions Made Worse By Exposure
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Persons allergic to Mercury may also react to Mercurochrome or
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Merthiolate, which contain Mercury.
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WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
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Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
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substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of
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reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations
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and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical
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release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using
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respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the
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controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary.
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In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1)
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how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is
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released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye
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contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for
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highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing
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exposures are possible.
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In addition, the following controls are recommended:
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* Vigorous, periodic cleaning of all work surfaces.
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* Where possible, automatically transfer Mercuric Oxycyanide
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from drums or other storage containers to process containers.
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* Specific engineering controls are recommended for this
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chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document:
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Occupational Exposures to inorganic Mercury #73-11024 and
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Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts #77-108.
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Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
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following work practices are recommended:
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* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Mercuric
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Oxycyanide should change into clean clothing promptly.
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* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members
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could be exposed.
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* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
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who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Mercuric
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Oxycyanide.
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* Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work
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area for emergency use.
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* On skin contact with Mercuric Oxycyanide, immediately wash or
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shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift,
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wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Mercuric
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Oxycyanide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred.
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* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Mercuric Oxycyanide is
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handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be
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swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
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* For clean-up use a specialized charcoal-filtered vacuum or
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suction pump to avoid generating Mercury vapor. Care should
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be taken not to disturb spilled material.
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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
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WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
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However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry,
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jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace
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controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be
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appropriate.
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The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply
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to every situation.
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Clothing
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* Avoid skin contact with Mercuric Oxycyanide. Wear protective
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gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/ manufacturers
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can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/
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clothing material for your operation.
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* Non-absorbent materials are recommended.
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* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
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should be clean, available each day and put on before work.
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Eye Protection
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* Wear dust-proof goggles and face shield when working with
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powders or dust, unless full facepiece respiratory protection
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is worn.
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Respiratory Protection
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IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should
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only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into
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account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training,
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respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA
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1910.134.
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* Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.05 mg/m3 as
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Mercury, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator
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with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode
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or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous
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flow mode, or use a MSHA/ NIOSH approved self-contained
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breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in
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pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode.
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ADDITIONAL WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS for Cyanides measured as
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Cyanide.
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OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 5
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mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour work-shift.
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NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg/m3, which
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should not be exceeded during any 10 minute work period.
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ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg/m3
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averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
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Common Name: Mercuric Oxycyanide
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DOT Number: UN 1642
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DOT Emergency Guide code: 53
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CAS Number: 1335-31-5
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----------------------------------------
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NJ DOH Hazard rating
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FLAMMABILITY 1
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REACTIVITY 3
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CYANIDE GAS RELEASED IN FIRE
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EXPLOSIVE
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-----------------------------------------
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Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
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4=severe
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FIRE HAZARDS
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* Mercuric Oxycyanide may burn, but does not readily ignite.
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* Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers.
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* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Cyanide gas
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and Oxides of Nitrogen.
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* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
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* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
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and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
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SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
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If Mercuric Oxycyanide is spilled, take the following steps:
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* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
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spill until clean-up is complete.
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* Remove all ignition sources.
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* Spills should be collected with special Mercury vapor
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suppressants or special vacuums. Kits specific for clean-up
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of Mercury spills are available.
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* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Mercuric
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Oxycyanide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact the NJ Department of
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Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the
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federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific
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recommendations.
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==========================================
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FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
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==========================================
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HANDLING AND STORAGE
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* Prior to working with Mercuric Oxycyanide you should be
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trained on its proper handling and storage.
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* Mercuric Oxycyanide is self reactive. Friction, heat and
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rough handling may cause an explosion.
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* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
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area.
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FIRST AID
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Eye Contact
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* Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15
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minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
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medical attention promptly.
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Skin Contact
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* Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash
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contaminated skin with large amounts of water.
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Breathing
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* Remove the person from exposure.
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* Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
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PHYSICAL DATA
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Water Solubility: Slightly soluble
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OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
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Chemical Name:
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Mercury Cyanide Oxide
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Other Names and Formulations:
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Mercury Oxycyanide.
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Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
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NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
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Right to Know Project
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CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
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------------------------------------------
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
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Elemental mercury is a heavy and relatively inert liquid which is
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oxidized to inorganic mercury (II) under natural conditions.
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Mercury (II) may combine with an organic fraction to from
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methylmercury. Both mercury (II) and methylmercury are of
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environmental concern. Mercury (II) may enter the environment in
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industrial or municipal waste treatment discharges, from previously
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contaminated sediments, and from the weathering of natural rocks.
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Bacteria may then convert it into methylmercury. The concentration
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of mercury (II) in bodies of water may be elevated with acid rain
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due to the scouring of mercury from the air and increased
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partitioning from the sediment into the water.
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ACUTE (SHORT TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
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Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or
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fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are
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seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with
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a toxic chemical substance.
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Mercury(II) and methylmercury has high acute toxicity to aquatic
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life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the
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short term effects of mercury (II) or methylmercury to plants,
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birds, or land animals.
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CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
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Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive
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problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior.
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Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a
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toxic chemical.
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Mercury (II) and methylmercury have high chronic toxicity to
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aquatic life. Eating fish contaminated with mercury residues has
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caused secondary poisoning in humans: birds or land animals
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similarly exposed to mercury and its compounds could also be
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subject to such effects. Insufficient data are available to
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evaluate or predict the long-term effects of mercury and its
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compounds to plants.
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DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
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Mercury is highly persistent in water, with a half-life greater
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than 200 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time
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it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded.
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BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS
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Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in
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living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink
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contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can
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become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals
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and humans.
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The concentration of mercury(II) and methylmercury found in fish
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tissues is expected to be considerably higher than the average
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concentration of mercury(II) or methylmercury in the water from
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which the fish was taken.
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SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL, Duluth, U.S.EPA,
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Phytotox.
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