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Chemical Name: Phenylmercuric Benzoate
Chemical Formula: C13H10HgO2
Physical Appearance: White to off-white powder, faint odor
Common Uses: Often used as a preservative in paints, adhesives, and pastes, as well as a fungicide and antiseptic in certain industrial applications, especially where fungal resistance is critical
Exposure Risks: Skin, eye, ingestion, and inhalation hazards
Acute Effects: Severe irritation to eyes and skin, respiratory tract irritation, risk of neurological damage if inhaled or ingested
Chronic Exposure: Possible kidney damage, neurological symptoms such as tremors, memory loss, personality changes; classified as a possible human carcinogen by several health organizations
Environmental Hazard: Highly toxic to aquatic life and persistent in the environment, can bioaccumulate in the food chain
Main Ingredient: Phenylmercuric Benzoate
Percentage by Weight: Typically more than 95% in pure form, impurities such as benzoic acid may be present at less than 5%
CAS Number: 94-43-9
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with large amounts of water for 15 minutes, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Skin Contact: Wash exposed skin immediately with water and soap, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical evaluation for persistent irritation
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, provide artificial respiration if there's trouble breathing, get immediate medical help
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, seek emergency medical help immediately
Flammability: Not considered flammable, but may decompose under fire to produce toxic fumes including mercury vapors, benzoic acid fumes, and phenyl compounds
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam for small fires; water spray for larger fires should be used carefully as runoff may be contaminated
Special Hazards: Fire conditions can release corrosive and toxic gases
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear for chemical hazards
Personal Protection: Ventilate area, wear chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing
Spill Cleanup: Avoid creating dust, use damp cloth or appropriate chemical absorbents for liquid spills, gather in appropriate containers for disposal
Environment: Prevent contamination of soil, surface water, and drains due to high environmental toxicity
Disposal of Waste: Collect residue for disposal as hazardous waste following local regulations
Handling: Keep container tightly closed, minimize dust generation, handle in a well-ventilated space, avoid skin and eye contact
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, secure area away from acids, oxidizing agents and incompatible substances, always labeled clearly
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, bases, and oxidizers
Engineering Controls: Work inside chemical fume hoods, maintain local exhaust ventilation
Personal Protection: Always use chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), chemical splash goggles, and lab coats or coveralls
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirators during risk of inhaling dust or vapors
Hygiene: Wash hands, face, and exposed skin thoroughly after use; do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling
Exposure Limits: OSHA and ACGIH advise extremely low limits due to mercury toxicity, values often set in the microgram per cubic meter range
Appearance: White or slightly off-white solid, fine powder
Odor: Slight, benzoin-like
Melting Point: Typically around 164°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at standard conditions
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, more rapidly in organic solvents like ethanol
Density: High relative to water, owing to mercury content
Chemical Stability: Stable in unopened containers at room temperature
Reactivity: Decomposes to release toxic vapors upon strong heating
Incompatibility: Strong acids and oxidizers can accelerate decomposition and release dangerous fumes
Hazardous Decomposition: Produces toxic mercury compounds and irritant fumes such as benzoic acid
Acute Toxicity: Ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption can produce mercury poisoning symptoms: tremors, irritability, kidney damage, and central nervous system effects
Chronic Toxicity: Long-term exposure risks include irreversible damage to nerves and kidneys, birth defects, possible carcinogenic effects
Routes of Exposure: Most danger comes from inhalation or accidental ingestion, though skin can absorb small amounts
Sensitivity: Individuals with pre-existing health issues or allergies, pregnant women, and children are at greater risk
Aquatic Toxicity: Extremely high, acute and chronic toxicity to fish, invertebrates, and plant life
Persistence: Stays in soil and water for extended periods, mercury compounds are not easily broken down in nature
Bioaccumulation: Highly likely, mercury enters and stays in food chains, magnifying through predatory species
Impact on Waste Water: Even minute levels contaminate waterways beyond acceptable health standards; must not reach municipal or natural water systems
Waste Disposal: Treat all material as hazardous waste, use specialized chemical waste facilities
Methods: Do not pour down the drain or throw into regular trash, follow local, national, and international regulations for hazardous waste
Container Disposal: Triple rinse containers and render unusable before landfilling or incineration, use permitted waste handlers
UN Number: Listed as hazardous for transport purposes, under categories related to mercury compounds
Transport Hazard Class: Matches toxic substances, strict labeling and containment rules apply
Special Precautions: Ship only in certified, secure, leak-proof containers; notify transport agencies about potential spills
Regulations: Subject to agreements like ADR, DOT, IATA, and IMDG
Chemical Inventory Listings: Registered with international chemical safety agencies including TSCA, REACH, and more
Labelling Requirements: “Toxic”, “Dangerous for the environment”, “Mercury compound” hazard pictograms and risk phrases required
Usage Restrictions: Many countries ban or heavily restrict use, especially in products prone to environmental leaching or consumer exposure
Worker Safety: Mandatory safety plans, regular air monitoring, and worker training to reduce mercury exposure
