Enclosure (6) TO COMDTINST 16478.12
USCG SITE SAFETY PLAN/ATON BATTERY RESPONSE PROJECT
HEALTH HAZARD: 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 symtpoms (latency period) for a single
toxic dose from one to several weeks. Biological half-life for
methyl mercury (the time needed to eliminate it from the body)
is about 70 days with a considerable risk of accumulation of
mercury to toxic levels. Methyl mercury can cause irritation of
the skin, eyes, mucous membranes.
EXPOSURE LIMITS:
ACGIH TLV:
0.01 mg/cu m
OSHA PEL:
none.
OSHA CEILING:
none.
IDLH:
none.
F.2.i. HYDROGEN SULFIDE: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S; 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 irritating effects do not offer
a dependable warning to workers who may be exposed to gradually
increasing amounts and therefore become used to it. Hydrogen
sulfide is a dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame,
or oxidizers.
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