Safety data sheet reference · CAS 7439-97-6
Mercury SDS
also: mercury MSDS · safety data sheet · Hg · CAS 7439-97-6 · EC 231-106-7 · quicksilver
Official PDF from supplier
This page is a reference, not the legal document.
CAS number
7439-97-6
EC number
231-106-7
CLP Annex VI index
080-001-00-0
Molecular formula
Hg
Molar mass
200.59 g/mol
§ 02 · Hazards identification
Mercury harmonised EU classification
CLP Annex VI · Index 080-001-00-0. A supplier SDS may add self-classified hazards — this is the legal minimum.
Precautionary statements
Codes ending in a colon introduce the action that follows — on a label they are printed as combined statements, such as P305+P351+P338.
§ 03 · Composition and identifiers
Mercury structure
Mercury is a chemical element, not a compound. The identifiers below describe the atom itself; there is no bond framework between different atoms for us to draw.
Identifiers from PubChem (NIH, public domain).
§ 04 · First-aid measures
Mercury first aid measures
Call your national emergency number first. These are published first-aid measures, not medical advice, and they do not replace emergency services, a poison control centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.
§4–§6 below reproduce the CAMEO Chemicals entry MERCURY. CAMEO publishes response data per product entry, so the entry can describe a solution, a refrigerated liquid or a molten form rather than the pure substance in §9 — check it matches what you are handling.
Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.
Skin: SOAP WASH PROMPTLY - If this chemical contacts the skin, promptly wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, promptly remove the clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. Get medical attention promptly.
Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately.
Source: NIOSH, 2024 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain.
§ 05 · Fire-fighting measures
Mercury fire fighting measures
ERG 2024 · GUIDE 172 Gallium and MercuryERG guidance is written per response guide, not per substance — Guide 172 covers every material assigned to it, so a few sentences reference other UN numbers in the same group.
Fire and explosion hazard
Behavior in Fire: Not flammable
Extinguishing media and tactics
Use extinguishing agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Do not direct water at the heated metal.
Source: ERG, 2024 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: MERCURY.
§ 06 · Accidental release measures
Mercury spill and leak response
Containment and clean-up
Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Do not use steel or aluminum tools or equipment. Cover with earth, sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. For mercury, use a mercury spill kit. Mercury spill areas may be subsequently treated with calcium sulphide/calcium sulfide or with sodium thiosulphate/sodium thiosulfate wash to neutralize any residual mercury.
Initial isolation and evacuation
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASUREIsolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
LARGE SPILLConsider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
FIREWhen any large container is involved in a fire, consider initial evacuation for 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions.
Source: ERG, 2024 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: MERCURY.
§ 07 · Handling and storage
Mercury computed storage compatibility
Derived from CLP Annex VI classification and CAMEO reactive-group data — not copied from a PDF.
↔ Keep separate
Full interactive verdict — reactions, gas release on contact, ADR forms →
§ 08 · Exposure controls
Mercury exposure limits (IDLH)
IDLH
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
10 mg Hg/m3
The limit is expressed as Hg, not as the mass of mercury itself.
NIOSH Pocket Guide — Mercury →
IDLH from the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (CDC, U.S. public domain), via CAMEO Chemicals. Occupational exposure limits — OSHA PEL, NIOSH REL and EU IOELV — are not published on this page yet.
§ 09 · Physical and chemical properties
Mercury physical properties
Source: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain); per-value source references stored in the database.
§ 10 · Stability and reactivity
Reactive group (CAMEO/NOAA): Metals, Less Reactive. Our database documents 18 incompatible and 25 caution reaction-partner groups for mercury — including which combinations release gas on contact. See the per-partner breakdown with gas release →
18
Incompatible
25
Caution
§ 13 · Disposal considerations
Dispose of waste and residues in accordance with local and national regulations — in the EU under the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC. Never discharge to drains or municipal waste; hand contaminated packaging and unused product to an authorised waste-disposal company. The supplier's SDS section 13 lists the applicable waste codes for the specific product.
§ 14 · Transport information
Mercury road transport — ADR 2025
UN number
Proper shipping name
MERCURY
Class · PG
8 · III
Classification code
CT1
Transport category
3
ADR labels
8, 6.1
Hazard ID (Kemler) / UN plate
Top: hazard identification number (Kemler). Bottom: UN number — as carried on the orange plate of the transport unit.
Source: UN ADR 2025 (ECE/TRANS/352), Table A. Road (ADR) only — for sea (IMDG) and air (IATA), consult the supplier's SDS §14.
MSDS vs SDS
Mercury MSDS vs SDS: is there a difference?
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the format is set by REACH Annex II. So a "mercury MSDS" and a "mercury SDS" refer to the same document — today it is issued as an SDS. Full breakdown of the differences →
Other acute toxics in our database
- (2R,6aS,12aS)-1,2,6,6a,12,12a-hexahydro-2-isopropenyl-8,9-dimethoxychromeno[3,4-b]furo[2,3-h]chromen-6-one, rotenone 83-79-4
- (2S)-2-hydroxy-2-(3-phenoxyphenyl)acetonitrile 61826-76-4
- (4-ammonio-m-tolyl)ethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium sulphate 25646-77-9
- (Methoxyethyl)mercury chloride 123-88-6
- (RS)-4-[1-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)ethyl]-1H-imidazole 86347-14-0
- [(dimethylsilylene)bis((1,2,3,3a,7a-η)-1H-inden-1-ylidene)dimethyl]hafnium 137390-08-0
- 1-(1,4-Benzodioxan-2-ylcarbonyl)piperazine hydrochloride 70918-74-0
- 1-(3,4-dichlorophenylimino) thiosemicarbazide 5836-73-7
Substance profile
What mercury is
Physical and chemical properties with the conditions each value was measured under, synonyms, formula and the harmonised CLP classification →
Compliance hub
From classification to SDS
The classification above corresponds to Section 2 of a Safety Data Sheet. Learn how a compliant 16-section SDS is structured and authored →
GHS label maker
Build the label for mercury
Pictograms, signal word and H-statements combined into a compliant label layout →
§ 16 · Sources
- Classification: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), Annex VI
- Transport: UN ADR 2025 (UNECE), Table A
- Reactivity: NOAA CAMEO Chemicals reactive-group matrix (public domain)
- Physical properties: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain) — per-value source references stored in the database
- Emergency response (§4–§6): ERG 2024 (PHMSA) · NIOSH Pocket Guide (CDC) · CHRIS (USCG) · NTP · EPA — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), all US federal public domain, reproduced verbatim
- Substance data: PubChem · ECHA
Reference aid only. This page summarises the harmonised EU classification and computed storage guidance — it is not a Safety Data Sheet and does not replace one. Always verify hazards, handling and storage against the supplier's SDS (sections 7 and 10) and local regulations before use. Page updated 2026-08-11.
Frequently asked questions about mercury
Is an MSDS the same as an SDS?
In practice, yes. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the SDS format is set by REACH Annex II. A document you find labelled "mercury MSDS" is today issued as an SDS.
What GHS pictograms does mercury require?
Under the harmonised EU classification (CLP Annex VI), mercury carries GHS06 and GHS08 and GHS09 with the signal word "Danger". Hazard statements: H360D, H330, H372, H400, H410. A supplier's SDS may add self-classified hazards on top of this harmonised minimum.
Where can I download an official mercury SDS PDF?
From your own supplier — an SDS is issued per product and supplier, so the correct PDF for an inspection is the one matching the product you actually purchased. The supplier links on this page lead to the official SDS libraries of major distributors.
Call emergency services first
112 in the EU · 911 in the US. This screen is published response information, not medical advice, and it does not replace emergency services, a poison centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.
Text below is the CAMEO Chemicals entry MERCURY — confirm it matches the form in front of you.
01 · First aid
What to do for the person
Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.
Skin: SOAP WASH PROMPTLY - If this chemical contacts the skin, promptly wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, promptly remove the clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. Get medical attention promptly.
Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately.
02 · Fire
Extinguishing and tactics
Fire and explosion hazard
Behavior in Fire: Not flammable
Extinguishing media and tactics
Use extinguishing agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Do not direct water at the heated metal.
03 · Spill
Containment, isolation, evacuation
Containment and clean-up
Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Do not use steel or aluminum tools or equipment. Cover with earth, sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. For mercury, use a mercury spill kit. Mercury spill areas may be subsequently treated with calcium sulphide/calcium sulfide or with sodium thiosulphate/sodium thiosulfate wash to neutralize any residual mercury.
Initial isolation and evacuation
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASUREIsolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
LARGE SPILLConsider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
FIREWhen any large container is involved in a fire, consider initial evacuation for 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions.
Sources: ERG 2024 (PHMSA) · NIOSH Pocket Guide (CDC) · CHRIS (USCG) · NTP · EPA — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Text reproduced verbatim.