Is Mercury Compounds safe in cosmetics?
Mercury Compounds has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: restricted. 5 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Mercury Compounds
Also known as: Mercury (Hg), Caswell No. 546, Colloidal mercury, EINECS 231-106-7, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 052301 (+15 more)
INCI: MERCURY COMPOUNDS
Mercury Compounds (CAS 7439-97-6) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Mercury compounds historically served two roles in cosmetic formulations. Reported NOAEL =0.0328571428571429 mg/kg bw/day in Human (WHO/JECFA); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max 0.007%; GHS signal word DANGER. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, food safety, and cannabis compliance data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 7439-97-6 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Mercury Compounds is classified GHS Danger (H290, H300, H330, H360, H360D, H372, H400, H410) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 0.007%.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status/eu max; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Mercury compounds historically served two roles in cosmetic formulations
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
mercury
InChIKey
QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
0.007%
US US Status
restricted
US Notes
No specific restrictions
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Mercury Compounds.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
5 study endpoints found for Mercury Compounds. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =0.0328571428571429 mg/kg bw/day | - | Human | Toxicology study | WHO/JECFA |
| NOAEL | =0.23 mg/kg bw | oral | - | Toxicology study | WHO/JECFA |
| NOAEL | =0.23 mg/kg bw/day | - | - | Toxicology study | WHO/JECFA |
| NOAEL | =1 mg/kg bw/day | - | - | Toxicology study | WHO/JECFA |
| NOAEL | =23 mg/kg bw | - | - | Toxicology study | WHO/JECFA |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
CorrSkullToxicCancerHealth hazEnviroAqua
Hazard Statements
May be osive to metals Fatal if inhaled May damage fertility or the unborn child Causes damage to central nervous system and kidneys Causes damage to the central nervous system and the kidneys through prolonged or repeated exposure Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the skin. Inhalation of high concentrations of the vapour may cause pneumonitis. This may result in death. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system and kidneys. This may result in tremors and tissue lesions. The effects may be delayed. Medical observation is indicated.
Long-term Exposure Effects
The substance may have effects on the central nervous system and kidneys. This may result in irritability, emotional instability, tremors, mental and memory disturbances and speech disorders. May cause inflammation and discoloration of gums. Cumulative effects are possible. Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxic effects upon human reproduction.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour and through the skin also as a vapour.
IARC Carcinogenicity
International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) monograph evaluation.
IARC Group
3
Volume
58
Evaluation Year
1993
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
Health HazardAcute ToxicityEnvironmental Hazard
Hazard Class and Category
Repr. 1B; Acute Tox. 2 *; STOT RE 1; Aquatic Acute 1; Aquatic Chronic 1
Hazard Statements
- H360D ***
- H330 Fatal if inhaled
- H372 **
- H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
- H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Inserted via ATP: ATP01
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100 - 1,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
EU CosIng Annex Listing
European Commission CosIng database Annex references per Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Annex II — Prohibited
Ref: 221
(EC) 2009/1223
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
SA Saudi SFDA (II - Prohibited)
JPKR Japan/Korea Cosmetics
Japan (Prohibited): Must not be used
Korea (Prohibited): All Hg compounds prohibited
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
Brazil: Prohibited
India: Prohibited (GNRAS)
India: Prohibited
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (10)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN | banned | - | - |
| IN | banned | - | all cosmetics except eye-area preservative and as impurity ≤1 ppm |
| IN | restricted | 0.0001 | all finished cosmetics (non-eye area) |
| AU | banned | - | all |
| GCC | banned | - | All products |
| BR | banned | - | Except trace <1 ppm; phenylmercury salts in eye products up to 65 ppm |
| BR | restricted | 0.0001 (1 ppm) | Trace impurity only; eye area products up to 0.0065% (65 ppm) where no alternative preservative available |
| CA | restricted | 1 ppm impurity guideline | All cosmetics (trace/impurity) |
Additional Ingredient Properties
4 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "no", "biodegradation_days": "non-biodegradable", "bioaccumulative": "yes", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "very-high", "coral_reef_safe": "no", "marine_toxicity": "extremely toxic", "freshwater_toxicity": "biomagnifies in food chain", "soil_toxicity": "severe contamination", "endocrine_disruptor": "yes", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "yes", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "n…
pediatric_safety
{"safe_for_newborn_0_6m": "avoid", "safe_for_infant_6_12m": "avoid", "safe_for_toddler_1_3y": "avoid", "safe_for_child_3_12y": "avoid", "safe_for_teen_12_18y": "avoid", "pediatric_max_concentration_pct": "0.0", "adult_max_concentration_pct": "banned", "pediatric_dermal_absorption_factor": "very high", "immature_skin_barrier_risk": "very high", "oral_ingestion_risk": "very high", "eye_irritation_ri…
regulatory
{"eu_status": "banned", "us_status": "banned", "eu_max_concentration": "0", "restricted_in": "all products", "regulation_reference": "Annex II/139-162"}
skin_suitability
{"oily_skin": "avoid", "dry_skin": "avoid", "sensitive_skin": "avoid", "combination_skin": "avoid", "normal_skin": "avoid", "acne_prone": "avoid", "rosacea": "avoid", "eczema": "avoid", "hyperpigmentation": "avoid", "aging_mature": "avoid", "dehydrated": "avoid", "skin_benefit_secondary": "toxic", "mechanism_of_action": "Extremely toxic, banned globally, causes severe damage", "evidence_level": "s…
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (3)
Carcinogen Classification
Mercury and inorganic mercury compounds | Group 3: Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans | Volume 58: (1993) Beryllium, Cadmium, Mercury, and Exposures in the Glass Manufacturing Industry
Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
Cancer Classification: Group D Not Classifiable as to Human Carcinogenicity | CLASSIFICATION: D; not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: Based on inadequate human and animal data. Epidemiologic studies failed to show a correlation between exposure to elemental mercury vapor and carcinogenicity; the findings in these studies were confounded by possible or known concu
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
ICSC Safety Card
0056
Source: WHO/JECFA
Regulatory (1)
JECFA Evaluation
MERCURY | 2011 | Committee agreed that the toxicological database for mercury(II) chloride was relevant for assessing the health risk of foodborne inorganic mercury. Kidney effects are consistently observed in various experimental species (weight changes, proximal tubule damage and progressive nephropathy). The Committee considered kidney weight changes, which occurred at doses similar to or lower
Source: WHO/JECFA
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Degradant/impurity
Surface modifier
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EU Banned in Cosmetics
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Mercury Compounds.
Regulatory Flags
Allergen
eu_banned_cosmetics
eu_cosing_listed
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Mercury Compounds by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
5
Lowest NOAEL
0.0328571428571429
Highest NOAEL
23
Units vary across source rows: mg/kg bw/day, mg/kg bw
WHO/JECFA
Known Synonyms
Mercury (Hg)
Caswell No. 546
Colloidal mercury
EINECS 231-106-7
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 052301
Mercury, metallic
Mercury vapor
NCI-C60399
Quick silver
RCRA waste number U151
UNII-FXS1BY2PGL
Mercurius vivus
Elemental mercury
Hg
Hgn
metallic mercury
mercury(0)
80Hg
azogue
hydrargyrum
Chemical Function
Surface modifier
Degradant/impurity
Regulatory Lists
Europe; nondetect; Other direct contact consumer goods
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - body paint - tattoo ink; detected; Europe
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - body paint - tattoo ink; detected; Europe
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - body paint - tattoo ink; detected; Europe
artificial_sweat; emissions; Europe; nondetect; Other direct contact consumer goods
Australia; Food and drug - smoking-related products
detected; Israel; Toys and children's products
Journal of Chemical Engineering & Process Technology
nondetect; Toys and children's products
detected; Toys and children's products
detected; Toys and children's products
detected; Furniture and Furnishings; Other direct contact consumer goods; Toys and children's products
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
detected; Toys and children's products
detected; Toys and children's products
detected; Toys and children's products
detected; Toys and children's products
detected; Toys and children's products
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical, food safety, and cannabis compliance data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA count match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Adverse Event Associations
1
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
Mercury — total
ADI
4 mg/kg bw
Food Category
contaminants
SOURCE
Cannabis compliance lab data
cannabis_contaminant_tests
Cannabis Safety Data
Same-CAS cannabis contaminant or lab-result rows from the cannabis spoke database.
Contaminant Rows
5
Contaminant Classes
heavy_metal
Jurisdictions
Massachusetts
| Jurisdiction | Class | Product | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | heavy_metal | Buds | 0 ppm |
| Massachusetts | heavy_metal | Buds | 0 ppm |
| Massachusetts | heavy_metal | Buds | 0 ppm |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mercury Compounds allowed in the EU?
Mercury Compounds EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.007%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Mercury Compounds do in cosmetics?
Mercury Compounds functions as: Mercury compounds historically served two roles in cosmetic formulations. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 7439-97-6.
What is the NOAEL for Mercury Compounds?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Mercury Compounds is =0.0328571428571429 mg/kg bw/day based on a Toxicology study study via oral route in Human. A total of 5 study endpoints are available. Source: WHO/JECFA.
Is Mercury Compounds classified as hazardous under GHS?
Mercury Compounds carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: May be osive to metals Fatal if inhaled May damage fertility or the unborn child Causes damage to central nervous system and kidneys Causes damage to the central nervous system and the kidneys through prolonged or repeated exposure Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.
Is Mercury Compounds used outside cosmetics?
Mercury Compounds also appears in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, food safety, and cannabis compliance data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Mercury Compounds have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Mercury Compounds is classified GHS Danger (H290, H300, H330, H360, H360D, H372, H400, H410) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics at max 0.007%.
Compliance Tools
Check Mercury Compounds compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
Related Ingredients
Arginine
Excellent
Same category
Amino acid / pH Adjuster
D-Panthenol
Excellent
Same category
Hair and skin conditioning, humectant...
Dicaprylyl Ether
Excellent
Same category
Emollient
Emulsifying Wax
Excellent
Same category
O/W emulsifier; stabilizes oil-in-wat...
Ethyl Butyrate
Excellent
Same category
Perfuming, Masking
Fructose
Excellent
Same category
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Flavori...
(AGARICUS BLAZEI FERMENT + GANODERMA LUCIDUM FERMENT + GANODERMA MULTIPILEUM FERMENT) EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Anti-sebum, Antioxidant, Skin Protecting
(ANGELICA ACUTILOBA/PAEONIA LACTIFLORA/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA) ROOT/CNIDIUM OFFICINALE RHIZOME EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning ...
(ANGELICA GIGAS/GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS/REHMANNIA GLUTINOSA ROOT)/ANGELICA GIGAS STEM/CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS FLOWER/(CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS/PRUNUS PERSICA SEED)PORIA COCOS WATER
Good
Similar safety
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Pr...
(ANGELICA KEISKEI/CHRYSANTHEMUM ZAWADSKII) LEAF/STEM/CINNAMOMUM CASSIA BARK/TRICHOSANTES KIRILOWII FRUIT/ULMUS DAVIDIANA BARK/ROOT/(PAEONIA JAPONICA/BUPLEURUM FALCATUM/POLYGALA TENUIFOLIA ROOT)/VISCUS ALBUM STEM EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Anti-seborrheic, Anti-sebum, Antioxid...
(APPLE/CITRUS JUNOS/LENTIL/PEAR/PUMPKIN/STRAWBERRY/TOMATO FRUIT)/CORN KERNEL/(ARCTIUM LAPPA/BRASSICA OLERACEA ACEPHALA/CABBAGE/CAMELLIA SINENSIS/MORINGA OLEIFERA/RADISH/SPINACH LEAF)/(SORGHUM BICOLOR LEAF/STEM)/OAT MEAL/POTATO PULP/(CARROT/NELUMBO NUCIFERA/RADISH/WILD YAM ROOT)/(AMARANTHUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS/CASHEW/CICER ARIETINUM/COIX LACRYMA-JOBI MA-YUEN /MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA/PHASEOLUS ANGULARIS/PISTACIA VERA/RHYNCHOSIA NULUBILIS/RICE/SESAME/SETARIA ITALICA/SOYBEAN/SWEET ALMOND/WHEAT SEED)/HORDEUM VULGARE SPROUT/CYPERUS ESCULENTUS TUBER/ARTEMISIA PRINCEPS/BROCCOLI/CHENOPODIUM QUINOA/ENTEROMORPHA COMPRESSA/HORDEUM VULGARE/IPOMOEA BATATAS/LAMINARIA JAPONICA/LENTINUS EDODES/PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS/PORPHYRA TENERA/UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA EXTRACT
Good
Similar safety
Antioxidant
(ARCTIUM LAPPA/CARROT/COLOCASIA ESCULENTA/DIOSCOREA BATATAS/GARLIC/GINGER/IPOMOEA BATATAS/NELUMBO NUCIFERA/ONION/POTATO BULBS)/(CHESTNUT/CITRUS UNSHIU/EGGPLANT/FIG/GRAPE/KIWI/LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM/MALUS PUMILA/MUME/PEACH/PLUM/PUMPKIN/PYRUS SEROTINA/RADISH/ZIZIPHUS JUJUBA FRUIT)/(ALLIUM TUBEROSUM/ALOE BARBADENSIS/ANGELICA UTILIS/BRASSICA OLERACEA ACEPHALA/CABBAGE/CELERY/SACCHARINA JAPONICA/UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA LEAF)/(ALLIUM FISTULOSUM/ENTEROMORPHA COMPRESSA/OENANTHE JAVANICA STALK)/LENTINULA EDODES/SUCROSE FERMENT FILTRATE
Good
Similar safety
Humectant, Skin Conditioning - Humect...
Iron Powder
Moderate
Chemical family
Bulking agent
Magnesium Powder
Moderate
Chemical family
Bulking agent; abrasive; skin conditi...
METHACRYLIC ACID/PEG-6 METHACRYLATE/PEG-6 DIMETHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER.
Good
Browse nearby
Film Forming
Is Mercury Compounds in Your Products?
Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.
Try Piro Free →Analyze Your Full Ingredient List
Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Mercury Compounds in your formulation.