What is this ingredient?

미국 FDA 물질 등록 · UNII IY191986AO · 등록명 Mercuric oxide · 단일 화학물질

All ingredients

Ingredient Dictionary

MERCURIC OXIDE

Definition

US FDA substance register · UNII IY191986AO · registered name Mercuric oxide · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Inhibits microbial growthANTIMICROBIAL

Safety & regulatory references

Banned: Argentina · ASEAN · Brazil · Canada · China · European Union · Japan · South Korea · Taiwan

Source: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist · MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

United States

Specific Limitations and Comments : Mercury compounds are readily absorbed through the skin on topical application and tend to accumulate in the body. They may cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, or neurotoxic problems. The use of mercury compounds in cosmetics is limited to eye area products at no more than 65 parts per million (0.0065 percent) of mercury calculated as the metal and is permitted only if no other effective and safe preservative is available. All other cosmetics containing mercury are adulterated and subject to regulatory action unless it occurs in a trace amount of less than 1 part per million (0.0001 percent) calculated as the metal and its presence is unavoidable under conditions of good manufacturing practice

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

Korea’s toxic-substance GHS classification: Danger · H400 (category 1) · H410 (category 1) · H373 (category 2) · +3 more

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist · prohibited in cosmetics

Source: Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

Restriction II/221

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Names & identifiers

MERCURIC OXIDEINCI머큐릭옥사이드Korean label name (MFDS standard)Mercury oxide (HgO)Synonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 21908-53-2
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 244-654-7
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID4042125
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID2022125

IUPAC: (Oxido)mercury
Molecular formula: HgO
Molecular weight: 216.59 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Mercuric oxide, [solid] appears as red or orange-red odorless, dense crystalline powder or scales, yellow when finely powdered. Used as a chemical intermediate for mercury salts, organic mercury compounds, and chlorine monoxide, antiseptic in pharmaceuticals, component of dry cell batteries, pigment and glass modifier, fungicide, preservative in cosmetics, analytical reagent, formerly used in anti · Yellow, orange-yellow, or red crystals, Insoluble in water, [ICSC] Powder, [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]
Odour: Odorless
Melting point: Decomposes at 932 °F (EPA, 1998) · 500 °C (decomp)
Solubility: 0.0053 G/100 CC WATER @ 25 °C · 0.0395 G/100 CC WATER @ 100 °C
Density: 11.1 at 39 °F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water, will sink · 11.00-11.29 (Red), 11.03 @ 27.5 °C (Yellow)
Stability: DECOMPOSES ON EXPOSURE TO AIR · RED MERCURIC OXIDE: DECOMP ON EXPOSURE TO LIGHT INTO MERCURY & OXYGEN

Values measured on the substance itself, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem

What products actually use it for

What the 1 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Biocide1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

2 skin studies and 1 eye studies are on record.

Classed as moderate1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 3 studies

Category 2
Skin Irritation · Screening
Category 1
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Category 2
Eye Irritation · Screening