Page 256 - Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties

246 MERCURICIODIDE

ulceration of conjunctiva and cornea. Contact with skin causes irritation and possible dermatitis;
systemic poisoning can occur by absorption through skin; General Treannent for Exposure: Act quickly;
call physician. INHALATION: if victim has stopped breathing, start artificial respiration immediately;
using amyl nitrite pearls, administer amyl nitrite by inhalation for 15-30 seconds of every minute while
sodium nitrite solution is being prepared; discontinue amyl nitrite and immediately inject intravenously
10 ml of a 3% solution of sodium nitrite (nonsterile if necessary) over a period of 24 min.; without
removing needle, infuse intravenously 50 ml of a 25% aqueous solution of sodium thiosulphate;
injection should take about 10 min. (concentrations of 5-5096 may be used, but keep total dose approx.
12 gm). Oxygen therapy may be helpful in combination with the above. INGESTION Alimentary
absorption is very rapid, and first 10-15 minutes determine the prognosis. Give egg whites, milk, or
activated charcoal; induce vomiting; treat for cyanide poisoning as above. EYES or SKIN: wash with
water for 15 min.; Toxicity by Inhalalion (Threshold Limit Value): 0.05 mg/m3 (as mercury); Short-
Term Inhalation Limits: Data not available; Toxicity by Ingestion: Grade 4, oral LD, = 25 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 Odorless.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point : Not flammable; Flammable Limits in Air (%): Not flammable; Fire
Extinguishing Agents: Not pertinent; Fire Extinguishing Agents Not To Be Used: Not pertinent; Special
Hazards of Combustion Products: Fumes from fire may contain toxic mercury and hydrogen cyanide;
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 Common Materials: Contact
with any acidic material will form poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas, which may collect in enclosed
spaces; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent;
Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
MERCURIC IODIDE
Chemical Designations - Synonym: Mercuric iodide, red; Mercury biniodide; Chemical Fonnula:
HgI*.
Observable Characteristics - Physical State (as shipped): Solid; Color: Red; Odor: None.
Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at 15 “c and I am. : Solid; Molecular Weight:
454.90; Boiling Point at 1 atm.: 669, 354,621; Freezing Point: 495,251,530; Critical Temperature:
Not pertinent; Critical Pressure: Not pertinent; SpeczBc Gravity: 6.3 at 20 “C (solid); Vapor (Gar)
Speciflc Gmvity: Not pertinent; Ratio of Specipc Heats of Vapor (Gas): Not pertinent; Latent Heat of
Vaporization: Not pertinent; Heat of Combustion: Not pertinent; Heat @Decomposition: Not pertinent.
Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Dust mask, goggles or
face shield, protective gloves; 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. 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 for Exposure:
INHALATION remove victim to fresh air; get medical attention. INGESTION: Alimentary absorption
is very rapid, and first 10-15 minutes determine the prognosis. Give egg whites, milk, or activated
charcoal; induce vomiting; consult physician. EYES: wash with water for at least 15 min. SKZN: flush
with water; wash with soap and water; Toxicity by Inhalation (ThresholdLimit Value): 0.05 mg/m3 (as
mercury); Short-Tern Inhalaion Limits: Data not available; Toxicity by Ingestion: Grade 4, oral LD,,
= 40 mg/kg (rat); Late Toxicity: Data not available; Vqor (Gas) Im’tant Characteristics: Data not
available; Liquid or Solid Im’tant Characteristics: Data not available; Odor Threshold Odorless.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point : Not flammable; Flammable Limits in Air ($6): Not flammable; Fire
Extinguishing Agents: Not pertinent; Fire Extinguishing Agents Not To Be Used: Not pertinent; Special
Hazards of Combution Products: Fumes from fire may contain toxic mercury vapor; Behavior in Fire: