Mercury - HG
Mercury - HG
Find on this page the main information about the Mercury (HG) : Physical characteristics, dangerousness, health effects as well as the means of dMercury vapor extract and adapted respiratory protection equipment (gas mask, assisted ventilation device, ARI).
Main characteristics of mercury (HG)
The Mercury, CAS number 7439-97-6, also known as bright-argent, is an element in the form of a natural state silver liquid. The HG is naturally present in the environment (volcanoes) but its presence is in its vast majority due to industrial activity, refining, mining activity and fossil combustion.
The mercury has been very long used for dental amalgam (fillings), thermometers and blood pressure, fluorescent bulbs, antiseptics, cosmetics, batteries and batteries, in the gold panning or than conservative in vaccines.
Effects of mercury on health
Despite its wide range of applications, mercury is an element today gradually abandoned because of its toxicity. Indeed WHO (World Health Organization) considers mercury as one of the 10 chemicals extremely worrying for public health. The Dangerousness of mercury lies in the fact that its use, especially in industrial processes, is likely to transform it easily into mercury vapors. These vapors are recognized as extremely toxic to man and classified as neurotoxic, cytotoxic, mutagenic, reprotoxic and carcinogenic.
Chronic exposure to mercury vaporsThe inhalation of low concentrations of Hg vapor over a long period, deteriorates the nervous system and generates many adverse health effects: fatigue, fever, headache, memory disorders, tremors, renal failure. Mercury vapor exposure in large amount causes severe acute intoxication to death by encephalitis and pulmonary hemorrhage.
Mercury detector
The protection of workers subject to inhalation of mercury vapors requires the use of detection means: colorimetric tubes for one-off measurement, SafeAir badges for a measure of the VME or a portable mercury vapor detector Opto-electronics or ultraviolet.
Mercury Respiratory Protection (HG)
For short exhibitions at low mercury vapor concentrations a gas mask equipped with an HGP3 filter provides sufficient protection. For a longer exposure time, a presence of high mercury vapor concentrations, or during an emergency response the use of an insulating respiratory equipment (ARI) or an air supply system is necessary to isolate the intervener of the air. Polluted.