Encl. (4) TO COMDTINST 16478.12
First CG District ATON Battery Recovery Site Safety Plan
sites. The mercury present in primary batteries may react
with the surrounding aquatic environmental to produce methyl
mercury.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Methyl mercury is a colorless liquid.
HEALTH HAZARDS: Methyl mercury is a poison of the central
nervous system. Primary routes of exposure are skin
absorption, inhalation, and ingestion. Symptoms of poisoning
include numbness and tingling of the lips, hands, and feet as
well as dizziness, emotional disturbances and jerking
movements of the limbs, head or shoulders. There may be a
delay in the onset of symptoms (latency period) for a single
toxic dose from one to several weeks. Biological half-life
for methyl mercury (the time needed) to eliminate half of it
from the body) is about 70 days. There is a considerable risk
of accumulation of mercury to toxic levels. Methyl mercury can
cause irritation of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
EXPOSURE LIMITS:
ACGIH TLV:
0.01 mg/M3
OSHA PEL:
NONE
OSHA CEILING:
NONE
IDLH:
NONE
HYDROGEN SULFIDE: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S2; UN1053; CAS 7783-06-
4) is a by-product of decaying organic material (such as
rotting vegetation) that may be naturally occurring at
underwater work sites.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Hydrogen sulfide is colorless, flammable
gas with an offensive odor (i.e., smells like "rotten eggs").
HEALTH HAZARDS: Hydrogen sulfide is an acute poison by
inhalation. Low airborne concentrations can cause irritation
of the eyes and upper respiratory tract. Acute exposure to
higher concentrations may result in coma or chronic pulmonary
edema. Hydrogen sulfide is a "chemical asphyxiant" which means
that it acts as a poison by paralyzing the respiratory center
of the body. It is an insidious poison since a person's sense
of smell may become fatigued to the "rotten egg" smell of
hydrogen sulfide. The odor and
PAGE 21
Previous Page
