Mercuric Thiocyanate

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview Appearance: White powder. Danger! May be fatal if swallowed. May be fatal if absorbed through the skin. Causes severe eye and skin irritation with possible burns. Causes digestive and respiratory tract irritation with possible burns. May impair fertility. May cause harm to the unborn child. Harmful if inhaled. May cause allergic skin reaction. May cause kidney damage. May cause central nervous system effects. Light sensitive. Severe marine pollutant. Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas. Target Organs: Kidneys, central nervous system, reproductive system.

Potential health effects

Eye: Exposure to mercury or mercury compounds can cause discoloration on the front surface of the lens, which does not interfere with vision. Causes severe eye irritation and possible burns. Contact with mercury or mercury compounds can cause ulceration of the conjunctiva and cornea. Skin: May be fatal if absorbed through the skin. Causes severe skin irritation and possible burns. May cause allergic contact dermatitis. - 1 - Ingestion: May be fatal if swallowed. Causes gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Causes gastrointestinal tract burns. May cause muscle tremor and impaired motor function. May cause cardiac disturbances. Symptoms of acute mercury salt poisoning include nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, foul taste, loosened teeth, circulatory collapse, peripheral neurological disease, and kidney damage requiring dialysis. Inhalation: May cause central nervous system effects including vertigo, anxiety, depression, muscle incoordination, and emotional instability. May cause gastrointestinal effects including gum and mouth inflammation, jaw necrosis, and loosening of the teeth. May cause burns to the respiratory tract. Acute exposure to high concentrations of mercury vapors may cause severe respiratory tract irritation. Chronic: Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis. Chronic inhalation and ingestion may cause effects similar to those of acute inhalation and ingestion. May cause reproductive and fetal effects. Chronic ingestion may cause accumulation of mercury in body tissues. Laboratory experiments have resulted in mutagenic effects. May be rapidly transferred across the placenta and cause adverse fetal effects. Chronic mercury poisoning involves kidney damage, visual defects, tremor, and severe psychological changes. The brain is the critical organ for chronic mercury poisoning. The half-life of mercury in the brain is 10 years. Cumulative toxicity is a major consideration with chronic exposure.