2013-01-12 14:33:13
Mercury is a chemical element, possessing interesting physicochemical properties (liquid at room temperature, formation of alloys with other metals such as tin, gold, etc., high density, high thermal expansion), which have led to use it in different products: barometers, thermometers, dental amalgams, use for gold panning, in the chlorine and soda industry, catalyst, etc.
It is also a very toxic substance which has the particularity of being found in different forms depending on the environment.
The dangers of mercury in humans have been particularly well described by the study of highly exposed populations: in Minamata, between 1930 and 1950, where the population was exposed to mercury through the consumption of fish contaminated by waste from a petrochemical plant, and where neurological disorders have been observed in exposed people, alterations in neurological development in children exposed during the mother’s pregnancy or while breastfeeding, malformations, etc.
In view of the risks for human health and the environment linked to mercury, the European Commission developed, in 2003, a strategy on mercury, comprising 6 objectives accompanied by specific actions. These elements come from the work of the General Management of the Company which published a report in 2003 on “the risks for health and the environment in relation to the use of mercury in products”. They are presented in the Commission Communication of January 28, 2005 “Community strategy on mercury” [COM(2005) 20 – Journal Officiel C52 du 2 mars 2005]. This strategy mainly aims to reduce the quantity and circulation of mercury in the European Union and around the world as well as the exposure of populations to this substance.
In this context, the Ministers responsible for Health and Ecology contacted the Agency in July 2003 to develop arguments for the European Commission with a view to revising, if this proves necessary, the classification of mercury in the framework of Directive 67/548/EEC relating to the classification, packaging and labeling of dangerous substances.
Given the expected completion times, the Agency chose to restrict the study to the CMR classification (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, Reprotoxic), in particular by the study of the toxic properties of mercury on the reproductive organs. This classification might lead to the ban or restriction, at European level, of the marketing of mercury for general public use, as well as increased monitoring in the professional environment.
Method of working
The mercury file was handled by the Agency’s committee of specialized experts (CES) “assessment of risks linked to chemical substances”, which developed preliminary versions of the arguments on elemental mercury (Hg0), inorganic mercury (in particular HgCl2) and organic mercury (CH3Hg and CH3HgCl).
After some discussions with the European authorities, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity data were added in order to comment on these aspects at the same time as the reprotoxic aspects.
The revised files were sent to the European Commission in February 2006 for discussion. The classification proposals modifying the initial classifications for the three forms of mercury studied are brought together in the table below.
Proposal made by France to the European Commission in March 2006 (in blue, the additional classifications proposed by the Agency study and retained in relation to the initial classifications of forms of mercury; in green, the classifications to be verified before deletion during the period of followed; in parentheses, the labeling codes corresponding to these classifications).
| Substance | CAS number | Classification and initial risk phrase | Classification and risk phrases proposed and retained |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inorganic form : Mercury chloride | 7487-97-7 |
Very toxic if swallowed (T+; R28) Toxic, risk of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through skin contact and ingestion (T; R48/24-25) Corrosive, causes burns (C; R34) |
Very toxic if swallowed (T+; R28) Toxic, risk of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through skin contact and ingestion (T; R48/24-25) Corrosive, causes burns (C; R34) or Irritant to skin (Xi; R38) Category 3 mutagen, possibility of irreversible effects (Muta, Cat.3, R68) Category 3 reprotoxic, possible risk of impaired fertility (Repr. Cat. 3; R62) |
| Elementary form : Mercury metal | 7439-97-6 |
Very toxic by inhalation (T+; R26) Toxic, risk of serious health effects in case of prolonged exposure by inhalation (T; R48/23) |
Very toxic by inhalation (T+; R26) Toxic, risk of serious health effects in case of prolonged exposure by inhalation (T; R48/23) Reprotoxic category 2, risk of harmful effects for the child during pregnancy (Repr. Cat.2; R61) |
|
Organic shapes : Methylmercury Methylmercury chloride |
22967-92-6-115-09-3 |
Very toxic if swallowed (T+; R28) Toxic, risk of serious health effects in case of prolonged exposure by ingestion (T; R48/25) |
Very toxic if swallowed (T+; R28) Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin (T+; R26-27) Toxic, risk of serious health effects in case of prolonged exposure by ingestion (T; R48/25) Category 3 mutagen, possibility of irreversible effects (Muta. Cat. 3 R68) Category 3 carcinogen, suspected carcinogenic effect, insufficient evidence (Carc. Cat. 3; R40) Category 3 reprotoxic, possible risk of impaired fertility, Possible risk for babies fed breast milk (Repr. Cat. 3; R62; R64) |
At the end of the meeting of the European classification group (Technical Committee for Classification and Labeling), the three proposals for elemental mercury, mercury dichloride and organic forms of mercury were accepted by the Member States.
- For elemental mercury: the following classification was adopted and inserted in the 1st ATP by the European Commission: Repr 1B H360D (May harm the fetus), Acute tox 2 H330 (fatal by inhalation), STOT RE1 H372 (specific toxicity for certain target organs following repeated exposure), Aquatic acute 1 H400 (Very toxic to aquatic organisms) and Aquatic Chronic 1 H410 (Very toxic to aquatic organisms, causes long-term effects).
- For mercury dichloride The following classification was adopted and inserted into the 1st ATP by the European Commission: Muta 2 H341 (Suspected of causing genetic abnormalities), Repr 2 H361f (Suspected of damaging fertility), Acute tox 2 H300 (Fatal if swallowed), STOT RE 1 H372 (specific target organ toxicity following repeated exposure), Skin corr 1B H314 (Causes severe skin burns and eye damage), Aquatic acute 1 H400 (Very toxic to aquatic organisms) and Aquatic Chronic 1 H410 (Very toxic to aquatic organisms, causes long-term effects).
- Since the substance methyl mercury is not placed on the market because it forms naturally in the environment and is not produced in its ionic form, it is therefore not consistent to submit a classification file for this substance. The latter was therefore removed from the classification file for organic forms of mercury in August 2011. On the other hand, the classification file for methyl mercury chloride is currently progressing at ECHA. It should soon go into public consultation on the ECHA website.
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