You may also be thinking of phosgene, which actually contains no phosphorous at all. But it is extremely toxic see the LC50: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosgene
This is not true, and choosing the LD50 of Melathion to represent organophosphates as a whole seems odd. He was probably thinking of nerve agents or perhaps pesticides. Take a look at the LD50's of the former. These are among the nastiest, most lethal substances known to man.
Yes. See for example any number of nerve agents such as VX. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VX_(nerve_agent). Yes, you can quibble over whether they count as "phosphates" given they often have fluoryl or other substituents, but the class is generally referred to as organophosphates, and they certainly have phosphorous in them. Malathion, is also an organophosphate which acts via the same pathway, but only in insects.
There was a time not so long ago when it was common for chemistry teachers to show off pools of mercury in their bare hands.
By the time I first took chemistry classes, though, that practice had stopped, less out of concern of exposure to liquid mercury and more for accidental exposure to gaseous forms due to spills.
When I was in highschool in the 1960s mercury in the chemistry lab was commonplace.
One way to familiarize students with mercury was to have several liters of it in a wide open-top jar and have them force their fist through the mercury pool to the bottom of the jar.
In fact, forcing one's hand through mercury between six to eight inches deep is not easy, some kids found it too difficult to do.
I'd describe my hand as feeling very squeezed and it being forced upwards to the surface with considerable force. The experience was certainly unforgettable.
There were some safety protocols: good ventilation (to minimize Hg vapor) and afterwards hands had to be thoroughly scrubbed with soap and water.
Comments
Holy hell. I would've have believed it was possible for a non-biological substance to be so toxic.
The density of Dimethyl Mercury is almost 3g/ml, so 0.1 mL is like 300 mg.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanide_poisoning
Assuming 80kg(175pounds), that's like 120mg of Cyanide.
There is probably even more nasty stuff.
well, easily. any organophosphorus stuff for example.
Actually organophosphates are not that lethal. See the LD50 of this example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malathion
You may also be thinking of phosgene, which actually contains no phosphorous at all. But it is extremely toxic see the LC50: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosgene
This is not true, and choosing the LD50 of Melathion to represent organophosphates as a whole seems odd. He was probably thinking of nerve agents or perhaps pesticides. Take a look at the LD50's of the former. These are among the nastiest, most lethal substances known to man.
Yes. See for example any number of nerve agents such as VX. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VX_(nerve_agent). Yes, you can quibble over whether they count as "phosphates" given they often have fluoryl or other substituents, but the class is generally referred to as organophosphates, and they certainly have phosphorous in them. Malathion, is also an organophosphate which acts via the same pathway, but only in insects.
If you're worried about >100mg (0.1ml) then, don't think about the dosages people use for botox! It's 1x,2x,3x 80picograms per injection.
I guess it's a biological product, but it's certainly not "living".
Then there's carfentanil and similar which are deadly only at much higher 100 microgram levels.
the methyl groups make it organic chemistry (and dangerous), elemental mercury is fairly safe
There was a time not so long ago when it was common for chemistry teachers to show off pools of mercury in their bare hands.
By the time I first took chemistry classes, though, that practice had stopped, less out of concern of exposure to liquid mercury and more for accidental exposure to gaseous forms due to spills.
When I was in highschool in the 1960s mercury in the chemistry lab was commonplace.
One way to familiarize students with mercury was to have several liters of it in a wide open-top jar and have them force their fist through the mercury pool to the bottom of the jar.
In fact, forcing one's hand through mercury between six to eight inches deep is not easy, some kids found it too difficult to do.
I'd describe my hand as feeling very squeezed and it being forced upwards to the surface with considerable force. The experience was certainly unforgettable.
There were some safety protocols: good ventilation (to minimize Hg vapor) and afterwards hands had to be thoroughly scrubbed with soap and water.