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Mercury

Key Points

Fire

  • Does not easily burn under normal conditions
  • Reacts with nitric acid and hot concentrated sulphuric acid. May react explosively with ammonia and violently with metals
  • Emits toxic fumes when heated to decomposition
  • In the event of a fire involving mercury, use fine water spray and liquid-tight protective clothing with breathing apparatus
  • In the event of a fire involving liquid mercury, use gas tight protective suit with breathing apparatus with liquid mercury

Health

  • Mercury poisoning can occur from ingestion, inhalation or dermal absorption
  • Very toxic
  • Short-term inhalation of mercury vapour causes cough, breathlessness and chest tightness within a few hours of exposure
  • Short-term inhalation of elemental mercury globules may cause inflammation of the lungs, coughing blood and difficulty in breathing
  • Stomach upset may occur within a few hours of ingestion of inorganic mercury
  • Short-term exposure of the eyes to elemental mercury vapour eyes can cause inflammation and eyelid tremor
  • Long-term inhalation of elemental mercury vapour may cause damage to the central nervous system, kidney damage and stomach upsets
  • Ingestion of inorganic mercury compounds may cause stomach upsets, kidney failure and damage to the central nervous system
  • There is no convincing evidence that mercury or mercury compounds can cause cancer in humans

Environment

  • Dangerous for the environment
  • Inform Environment Agency of substantial release incidents

 

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