Laserfiche WebLink
r8vtse0 uciuoet lnoz <br />card Evaluation System 3 Inforalatiea SOMIC11 O 2151 Berkeley Way Berkeley, GA 94104 p 415*540-ala8 <br />w a eowwww sew" bookme u, sores N arae an" a aa., teXM sweeYr s.rws"M h rrwtot btoare swahort. sr.ww. <br />Mercury <br />Health Hazard Summary: Overexposure to elemental (metallic) mercury most commonty <br />affects the nervous system, causing weakness, fatigue, and loss of appetite. It can also <br />damage the kidneys. In limited studies, me <br />fertility in reale and female laboratory animals. <br />is from inadequate cleanup of spills. <br />HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOU ARE <br />WORKING WITH MERCURY <br />.ldorandAppearaoee: Elementalmcrcuryisanunusual <br />metal because it is a uquid rather than a solid, and it slow- <br />ly evaporates at room temperature. Mercury has no <br />odor. Another name for elemental or metallic mercury is <br />"quicksilver." This is the kind of mercury used in ther- <br />mometers- Mercury can combine with other chemicals <br />to form organic (carbon -containing) or inorganic mcrcu- <br />ry compounds. These other mercury compounds, such <br />as might be found in contaminated fish, are not discussed <br />here. This Fact Sheet deals only with elemental, or <br />metallic, mercury in its liquid and vapor (gas) forms. <br />Jobs Where Mercury <br />is Used: Mercury is commonly <br />used in dentistry, for the prcparatioo offillings; in labora- <br />tories and hospitals, as a reagent and fixative; and in <br />medical instruments, electrical equipment, thermo- <br />meters, barometers, pharmaceuticals, and some fluores- <br />cent light bulbs. It is also used m the chloralkali industry, <br />the manufacture of glassware and jewelry, and the recov- <br />uy of gold and silver. <br />Your Right to Rno+r. Under the state u <br />and federal H- <br />ard Communication Standards (California G15 <br />0 5194 <br />and US.29 CFR 1910.1200), your employe must tellyou <br />1you are working with any baaardous substances, indu& <br />ing mercury, and must train you to use them safely. <br />rcury has been found to affect pregnancy or <br />A major source of chronic exposure. to mercury <br />If you think you maybe exposed eo hazardous chemicals <br />at work, ask to see the Material Safety Data Sheets <br />( ISDSs) for the products in your work area. An MSDS <br />lists the hazardous chemical contents of a product, de- <br />scaibes its health and safety hazards, and gives methods <br />for its safe use, storage, and disposal. The MSDS should <br />also include information on fire and explosion hazards, <br />reactivity, first aid, and procedures for handling leaks <br />and spills. Your employer must have an MSDS for any <br />workplace product that contains a hazardous substance, <br />and must make it available to employees on request. <br />This Fact <br />Sheet is an aid for worker training programs. <br />It doe not take theplace of a MaterialSafety Data Sheet <br />HOW MERCURY ENTERS AND <br />AFFECTS YOUR BODY <br />liquid mercury <br />"illy change into a vapor. You are <br />most likely [o be exposed by brushing is mcrcuryvapors, <br />which are easily absorbed through your lungs into your <br />body. liquid mercury is not well absorbed through the <br />skinI However, harmful absorption can occur through <br />broken or damaged akin, or if there is lengthy akin con - <br />[act. <br />Most effects <br />of mercury exposure develop slowly over <br />time. Symptoms usually ouiir only after reputed over- <br />exposure. These effects include insomnia, loss 01 <br />i <br />