Editing Mercury(II) oxide (section)

==Health issues==
[[File:HgOlabel.jpg|thumb|left|The label on an HgO powder bottle.]]
Mercury oxide is a highly toxic  substance which can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol, through the skin and by ingestion. The substance is irritating to the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract and may have effects on the kidneys, resulting in kidney impairment. In the food chain important to humans, [[bioaccumulation]] takes place, specifically in aquatic organisms. The substance is banned as a pesticide in the [[European Union|EU]].<ref name=bnpuk>{{cite web | last = Chemicals Regulation Directorate | title = Banned and Non-Authorised Pesticides in the United Kingdom | url = http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=55 | access-date = 1 December 2009}}</ref>

Evaporation at 20&nbsp;°C is negligible. HgO decomposes on exposure to light or on heating above 500&nbsp;°C. Heating produces highly toxic mercury fumes and oxygen, which increases the fire hazard. Mercury(II) oxide reacts violently with reducing agents, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, magnesium (when heated), disulfur dichloride and hydrogen trisulfide. Shock-sensitive compounds are formed with metals and elements such as sulfur and phosphorus.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0981.htm| title = Mercury (II) oxide| access-date = 2009-06-06| publisher = International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre}}</ref>

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