Description
Description
The Mercury Colorimetric SafeAir Badge is a monitoring system designed to indicate the presence of mercury at concentrations below the permissible exposure limit. The SafeAir mercury badge detects the presence of mercury by forming a color change in the shape of an exclamation mark inside the triangle. This indication is produced by a color-forming reaction that occurs when mercury reacts with a flat indicator layer.
Mercury is a silver-white, heavy, mobile, liquid metal with no specific odor. It is readily absorbed through the skin, the gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory tract. Chronic exposure may cause inflammation of the mouth and gums, kidney damage, muscle tremors, depression and nervousness. Mercury spills and heated mercury are particularly hazardous. OSHA PEL (permissible exposure limit) in the general industry for mercury is 1 mg/10 m3 (TWA). NIOSH REL (recommended exposure limit) for mercury is 0.05 mg/m3 (TWA). Mercury is used in barometers, thermometers, hydrometers, pyrometers, and in mercury arc lamps producing ultraviolet rays. It is also used in pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals and antifouling paints.
