Mercuric Chloride
What is it?
Mercuric chloride is a metal compound with a wide range of uses, including as a disinfectant, antiseptic, insecticide, and preservative.
How can I avoid it?
Avoidance requires reading the product labels, package inserts, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and on occasion, direct communication with the manufacturer.
Uses:
- Antiseptic
- Dental material/Amalgams
- Disinfectant
- Batteries (dry) (depolarizer)
- Electroplating aluminum
- Fungicides
- Furs, mordant for rabbit and beaver
- Hair tonics
- Insecticide
- Over-the-counter topical treatments
- Stimulant laxatives
- Diaper rash ointment
- Eye drops
- Nasal sprays
- Photography (antiseptic and intensifier)
- Preservative
- Preserving wood and anatomical specimens
- Tanning leather
- Wood staining
Other names for mercuric chloride:
- Bichloride of mercury
- Corrosive mercury chloride
- Corrosive sublimate
- Dichloromercury
- Mercury (II) chloride
- Mercury bichloride
- Mercury chloride
- Mercury perchloride
Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
- Mercurials
- Mercury
- Mercury ammonium chloride
MC4999-14(Sept2024)
