Mercuric sulfate

Metals -> Mercury Compounds, Inorganic

Reactive agents - 1st degree

6.47 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink

6.47

6.5 g/cm³

6.47 @25 °C

White granules or crystalline powder

COLORLESS, RHOMBIC CRYSTALS

Sol in hydrochloric acid, hot dil sulfuric acid, concentrated sodium chloride

INSOL IN ALCOHOL, ACETONE, AMMONIA

Reacts with water

Solubility in water: reaction

Corrosiveness: Magnesium; Aluminum; Zinc; Iron; Lead; Copper

Sulfate ion corrosive to pipes and fittings.

Mercuric sulfate appears as odorless white granules or crystalline powder. Denser than water. It is toxic by inhalation and by ingestion. It is used in medicine, for gold and silver extraction, and to make other mercury compounds.

White crystals; [ICSC]

WHITE CRYSTALLINE POWDER.

Decomp by water into yellow insol, basic sulfate, and free sulfuric acid.

Decomp in water, and at red heat

Heat of fusion: 4.8 cal/g

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 1% (2 of 201) of reports.

Danger

H300+H310+H330 (58.2%): Fatal if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, oral; acute toxicity, dermal; acute toxicity, inhalation]

P260, P262, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P316, P302+P352, P304+P340, P316, P319, P320, P321, P330, P361+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 201 reports by companies from 17 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Danger

Chemical: Sulfuric acid, mercury(2+) salt (1:1)

12C - indicates a substance that is prohibited to be exported from the Unites States under TSCA section 12(c).

Status: Active Update: 17-05-2018 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/17677

Mercury (II) sulphate: HSNO Approval: HSR004551 Approved with controls

The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et. seq.)

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: None (USCG, 1999)

· Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes.

Not combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.

INHALATION: Acute poisoning: Tightness in chest, breathing difficulty, coughing, and pain. EYES: Ulceration of conjunctiva and cornea. SKIN: Irritation; may cause sensitization dermatitis. INGESTION: Necrosis, pain, vomiting, severe purging. Patient may die within a few hours from peripheral vascular collapse. (USCG, 1999)

· Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.

D009; A solid waste containing mercury may or may not become characterized as a hazardous waste when subjected to the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure listed in 40 CFR 261.24, and if so characterized, must be managed as a hazardous waste. /Mercury/

Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer immediately for medical attention .

Rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible). Refer immediately for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer for medical attention .

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing.

Get medical attention.

General First Aid:

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

0.02 [mg/m3], as Hg, inhalable fraction[German Research Foundation (DFG)]

Environmental considerations: Water spill: Add diluate caustic soda. If dissolved, apply sodium sulfide solution to precipitate heavy metals. If dissolved, apply activated carbon at ten times the spilled amount in region of 10 ppm or greater concn. Allow to aerate. Use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove immobilized masses of pollutants and precipitates.

Environmental considerations: Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, or holding area to contain liquid or solid material. /SRP: If time permits, pits, ponds, lagoons, soak holes, or holding areas should be sealed with an impermeable flexible membrane liner./ Cover solids with a plastic sheet to prevent dissolving in rain or fire fighting water.

Mercury spills should be cleaned up immediately by use of a special vacuum cleaner. Then the area should be washed with a dilute calcium sulfide solution. Small quantities of mercury can be picked up by mixing with copper metal granules. ... /Mercury/

Mercury removal from waste water can be accomplished by these processes: BMS process; Chlorine is added to the waste water, oxidizing any mercury present to the ionic state. The BMS adsorbent (an activated carbon concentrate of sulfur cmpd on its surface) is used to collect ionic mercury. The spent adsorbent is then distilled to recover the mercury, leaving a carbon residue for reuse or disposal. TMR IMAC Process; Waste water is fed into a reactor, whereby a slight excess of chlorine is maintained, oxidizing any mercury present to ionic mercury. The liquid is then passed through the TMR IMAC ion-exchange resin where mercury ions are adsorbed. The mercury is then stripped from the spent resin with hydrochloric acid solution. /Mercury cmpds/

For more Cleanup Methods (Complete) data for MERCURIC SULFATE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Consult an expert! Personal protection: chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

Mercury mainly affects the nervous system. Exposure to high levels of metallic, inorganic, or organic mercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and developing fetus. Effects on brain functioning may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, and memory problems. Acrodynia, a type of mercury poisoning in children, is characterized by pain and pink discoloration of the hands and feet. Mercury poisoning can also cause Hunter-Russell syndrome and Minamata disease. (L7)

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol, through the skin and by ingestion.

Oral (L7) ; inhalation (L7); dermal (L7)

High-affinity binding of the divalent mercuric ion to thiol or sulfhydryl groups of proteins is believed to be the major mechanism for the activity of mercury. Through alterations in intracellular thiol status, mercury can promote oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and changes in heme metabolism. Mercury is known to bind to microsomal and mitochondrial enzymes, resulting in cell injury and death. For example, mercury is known to inhibit aquaporins, halting water flow across the cell membrane. It also inhibits the protein LCK, which causes decreased T-cell signalling and immune system depression. Mercury is also believed to inhibit neuronal excitability by acting on the postsynaptic neuronal membrane. It also affects the nervous system by inhibiting protein kinase C and alkaline phosphatase, which impairs brain microvascular formation and function, as well as alters the blood-brain barrier. Mercury also produces an autoimmune response, likely by modification of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, self peptides, T-cell receptors, or cell-surface adhesion molecules. (L7, A8, A25, A26)

Sore throat. Cough. Burning sensation. Shortness of breath. Laboured breathing.

MAY BE ABSORBED! Redness. Pain. Burning sensation. Blisters.

Redness. Pain.

Metallic taste. Burning sensation. Nausea. Abdominal pain. Vomiting. Diarrhoea. Shock or collapse.

Common symptoms include peripheral neuropathy (presenting as paresthesia or itching, burning or pain), skin discoloration (pink cheeks, fingertips and toes), edema (swelling), and desquamation (dead skin peels off in layers). (A5)

The substance is very toxic to aquatic organisms. Bioaccumulation of this chemical may occur in aquatic organisms. The substance may cause long-term effects in the aquatic environment. It is strongly advised not to let the chemical enter into the environment.

Systemic toxicity may begin within a few hours after exposure to mercury and last for days. A strong metallic taste is followed by stomatis with gingival irritation, foul breath, and loosening of the teeth. The most serious ... effect is renal toxicity. ...

D009; A solid waste containing mercury may or may not become characterized as a hazardous waste when subjected to the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure listed in 40 CFR 261.24, and if so characterized, must be managed as a hazardous waste. /Mercury/

Listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) generally known or suspected to cause serious health problems. The Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990, directs EPA to set standards requiring major sources to sharply reduce routine emissions of toxic pollutants. EPA is required to establish and phase in specific performance based standards for all air emission sources that emit one or more of the listed pollutants. Mercuric sulfate is included on this list.

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 10 lb or 4.54 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802; In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (202) 426-2675. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).

Mercuric sulfate is designated as a hazardous substance under section 311(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and further regulated by the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 and 1978. These regulations apply to discharges of this substance. This designation includes any isomers and hydrates, as well as any solutions and mixtures containing this substance.

Mercury is absorbed mainly via ingestion and inhalation, then distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream, where a portion binds to sulfhydryl groups on haemoglobin. Mercury can undergo oxidation to mercuric mercury, which takes place via the catalase-hydrogen peroxide pathway. The mercury atom is able to diffuse down the cleft in the catalase enzyme to reach the active site where the heme ring is located. Oxidation most likely occurs in all tissue, as the catalase hydrogen peroxide pathway is ubiquitous. Following oxidation, mercury tends to accumulate in the kidneys. Mercury is excreted mainly by exhalation and in the faeces. (A6, L7)

MERCURIUS SULPHURICUS

Increased Large Intestinal Motility [PE]; Osmotic Laxative [EPC]; Inhibition Large Intestine Fluid/Electrolyte Absorption [PE]; Osmotic Activity [MoA]

Used as a battery electrolyte, gold and silver extractant, and chemical reagent; [Merck Index]

Battery Manufacturing [Category: Industry]

Electrolyte for primary batteries; with sodium chloride for extracting gold and silver from roasted pyrites; as reagent for wine coloring, barbital, and cysteine.

Reagent for preparation of calomel and corrosive sublimate, catalyst in the conversion of acetylene to acetaldehyde

Used in analytical chemistry to bind chloride ions in the determination of the COD of waste water; as a catalyst in the production of acetaldehyde depolarizer in galvanic elements.

Mercury(II) sulfate is used mainly as a catalyst in the production of acetaldehyde. (L446)

By action of sulfuric acid on mercury, with subsequent crystallization.

Prepared by reaction of a freshly prepared and washed wet filter cake of yellow mercuric oxide with sulfuric acid in glass or glass-lined vessels.