Page 255 - Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties

MERCURIC CYANIDE 245

MERCURIC CHLORIDE
Chemical Designations - Synonyms: Calochlor; Corrosive mercury chloride; Corrosive sublimate;
Mercury bichloride; Mercury (11) chloride; Mercury perchloride; Chemical Formula: HgCI,,
Observable Characteristics -Physical State (as shipped): Solid; Color: White; colorless; Odor: None.
Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at 15 "c and I atm. : Solid; Molecular Weight:
271 SO; Boiling Point at I atm. : 516,302, 575; Freezing Point: 531, 277, 550; Critical Temperature:
Not pertinent; Critical Pressure: Not pertinent; Specific Gravity: 5.4 at 20 "C (solid); Vapor (Gas)
Specijic Gravity: Not pertinent; Ratio of Spec@ Heats of Vapor (Gas): Not pertinent; Latent Heat of
Vaporimion: Not pertinent; Heat of Combustion: Not pertinent; Heat OfDecomposition: Not pertinent.
Health Hazards Information - Recommended Persod Protective Equipment: Bu. Mines approved
airline respirator; impervious suit; appropriate eye protection; Symptoms Following Exposure: All
forms of exposure to this compound are hazardous; acute systemic mercurialism may be fatal within
a few minutes, but death by uremic poisoning is usually delayed 5-12 days. Acute poisoning has
resulted from inhaling dust concentrations of 1.2-8.5 mg/m3 of air; symptoms include tightness and pain
in chest, coughing, and difficulty in breathing. Ingestion causes necrosis, pain, vomiting, and severe
purging; as little as 0.5 gm cam be fatal. Contact with eyes causes ulceration of conjunctiva and cornea.
Contact with skin causes irritation and possible dermatitis; systemic poisoning can occur by absorption
through skin; General Treatment forExposure: Act promptly! Alimentary absorption is very rapid, and
first 10-15 minutes determine the prognosis. INHALATION remove victim to fresh air; get medical
attention. INGESTION: give egg whites, milk, or activated charcoal; induce vomiting; ,consult
physician. EYES or SKIN: wash with water for 15 min.; Toxicity by Inhulation (Threshold Limit
Value): 0.05 mg/m3 (as mercury); Short-Term Inhalation Limits: Data not available; Toxicity by
Ingestion: Grade 4, oral LD, = 1 mg/kg (rat); Late Toxicity: Data not available; Vapor (Gas) Irritant
Characteristics: Data not available; Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics: Data not available; Odor
Threshold: Data not available.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point : Not flammable; Flammable Limits in Air (W): Not flammable; Fire
Extinguishing Agents: Not pertinent; Fire Extinguishing Agents Not To Be Used: Not pertinent; Special
Hazard of Combustion Products: Heat of fire may cause material to form fumes of mercuric chloride,
which are toxic; Behavior in Fire: Not pertinent; Ignition Temperature : Not pertinent; Electrical
Hazard: Not pertinent; Burning Rate: Not pertinent.
Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water: No reaction; Reactivity with Comn Materials: No
reaction; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent;
Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.

MERCURIC CYANIDE
Chemical Designations - Synonyms: Cianurim; Mercury cyanide; Mercury (Io cyanide; Chemical
Fonnula: Hg(CN),
Observable Characteristics - Physical State (as shipped): Solid; Color: White or colorless; Odor:
None.
Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at 15 "c and I atm. : Solid; Molecular Weight:
252.63; Boiling Point at I atm.: Not pertinent (decomposes); Freezing Point: Not pertinent; Critical
Temperature: Not pertinent; Critical Pressure: Not pertinent; Speczjic Gravity: 4.0 at 20 "C (solid);
Vapor (Gas) Specific Gravity: Not pertinent; Ratio of Specific Heats of Vapor (Gas): Not pertinent;
Latent Heat of Vaporization: Not pertinent; Heat of Combustion: Not pertinent; Heat ofDecomposition:
Not pertinent.
Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Dust mask, goggles or
face shield, rubber gloves; Srmptoms Following Exposure: Symptoms of both cyanide and mercury
intoxication can occur. Acute poisoning has resulted from inhaling dust concentrations of 1.2-8.5
mg/m3 of air; symptoms include tightness and pain in chest, coughing, and difficulty in breathing;
cyanide poisoning can cause anxiety, confusion, dizziness, and shortness of breath, with possible
unconsciousness, convulsions, and paralysis; breath may smell like bitter almonds. Ingestion causes
necrosis, pain, vomiting, and severe purging, plus the above symptoms. Contact with eyes causes