Nitromersol
Encyclopedia
Nitromersol is a mercury
-containing organic compound
containing that is primarily used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. It has no odor or taste and is stored as a brown-yellow granules or powder. Nitromersol does not irritate the skin or mucous membranes and has no impact on rubber or metallic instruments, including surgical and dental tools.
This compound is a confirmed animal carcinogen
. It can emit toxic fumes of NOx and mercury when destroyed by heat. In 1998, use of nitromersol (and other mercury-containing products) as OTC
first-aid antiseptics and products for diaper rash
and vaginal contraceptives, was outlawed by the FDA. Nitromersol can cause hypersensitivity reactions, but it is still in use as a preservative for vaccines and antitoxins.
Mercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
-containing organic compound
Organic compound
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...
containing that is primarily used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. It has no odor or taste and is stored as a brown-yellow granules or powder. Nitromersol does not irritate the skin or mucous membranes and has no impact on rubber or metallic instruments, including surgical and dental tools.
This compound is a confirmed animal carcinogen
Carcinogen
A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer. This may be due to the ability to damage the genome or to the disruption of cellular metabolic processes...
. It can emit toxic fumes of NOx and mercury when destroyed by heat. In 1998, use of nitromersol (and other mercury-containing products) as OTC
Over-the-counter drug
Over-the-counter drugs are medicines that may be sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional, as compared to prescription drugs, which may be sold only to consumers possessing a valid prescription...
first-aid antiseptics and products for diaper rash
Diaper rash
Irritant diaper dermatitis is a generic term applied to skin rashes in the diaper area that are caused by various skin disorders and/or irritants.Generic rash or irritant diaper dermatitis is characterized by joined patches of erythema and...
and vaginal contraceptives, was outlawed by the FDA. Nitromersol can cause hypersensitivity reactions, but it is still in use as a preservative for vaccines and antitoxins.