seeba Fact Sheet
Mercury : Cas Number 7439-97-6
Substance: Mercury (Hg) - Metal
Physical Properties
Appearance: Liquid metallic silver
Atomic / Molecular weight = 200.59
Density = 13.546 gm/cc
Melting temperature = -38.83°C
Boiling point = 356.73°C
Specific heat = 0.033 cal/°C at 20°C
Resistivity = 0.964 ohms-mm2 / m at 20°C
Mercury is normally economic to recycle
Toxicity
Neurotoxin. Absorbed via respiratory tract as elemental mercury vapor, mercury compound dust
Short-term exposure to high levels of metallic mercury vapors may cause lung damage, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, increases in blood pressure or heart rate, skin rashes, and eye irritation.
High levels of metallic, inorganic, or organic mercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and
developing fetus. Effects on brain functioning may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision
or hearing, and memory problems.
Applications
Mercury is used in electrical switches, electric rectifiers, batteries, thermostats, accumulators, high density
discharge lamps, back lights for LCDs and anti-fouling paints.
Legislation:
EU: 2002/95/EC - Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic
equipment (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.1% of homogeneous material
Notes: Applies from July 2006. Exemptions exist. Exemtions exist.
US: 104-142. (1996) - Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act (US)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0% of product
Notes: Intentionally added. Batteries. Exception for button cells containing up to 25mg mercury
EU: 76/769/EEC - Restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0% of product
Notes: Use prohibited in particular for impregnation of heavy industrial fabrics and threads plus use in paints.
EU: 76/464/EEC - Pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0% of to land (Applies to End-of-life)
Notes: Zero emmission on to land containing ground water
EU: 91/157/EEC - Batteries and accumulators (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.0005% of component
Notes: Amended to 0.0005 by EU: 98/101/EC. Button cells and batteries composed of button cells with a mercury content of no more than 2 % by weight shall be exempted from this prohibition.
EU: 98/101/EC - Adapting to technical progress Council Directive 91/157/EEC on batteries and
accumulators (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.0005% of component
Notes: Batteries and accumulators. Button cells and batteries composed of button cells with a mercury content of no more than 2 % by weight shall be exempted from this prohibition.
EU: 94/62/EC - Packaging and packaging waste (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.01% of packaging part
Notes: Sum of concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium present in packaging or packaging components
US: TPCH - TPCH Toxics in Packaging Legislation (US)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.01% of packaging part
Notes: Sum of concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium present in packaging or packaging components . Banned Intentionally added.
EU: 2000/53/EC - End-of-life Vehicles (Europe)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.1% of homogeneous material
Notes: Vehicles directive. Exemptions exist.
EU: 2002/96/EC - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) (Europe)
Banned below requirement. Threshold 100% of eol waste separated (Applies to End-of-life)
Notes: Components containing mercury must be separated at end-of-life before processing.
Specifications:
VDA-List 232-101 - VDA Materials Declaration List for IMDS (Global)
Banned above threshold. Threshold 0.1% of homogeneous material
Notes: Used for reporting into the IMDS automotive database
Joint Industry Guide - Joint Industry Guide: Material Composition Declaration Guide (Global)
Report above threshold. Threshold 0.1% of homogeneous material
Notes: or Intentionally added.
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