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Mercury vapour suppression by various liquid media
E J Sutow1, W C Foong, A S Rizkalla
1Department of Applied Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Photographic fixer and Merconvap effectively suppress mercury vaporization. Water is less effective, allowing mercury vapor to increase over time, highlighting the importance of proper chemical storage for mercury vapor control.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Occupational Health
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Mercury is a toxic heavy metal with significant environmental and health risks.
- Photographic processing generates mercury waste, necessitating safe storage solutions.
- Controlling mercury vapor release is crucial for workplace safety and environmental protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of common photographic processing chemicals in suppressing mercury vaporization.
- To compare the mercury vapor suppression capabilities of fresh fixer, used fixer, Merconvap, and water.
- To provide data for informed decisions on safe mercury-containing waste storage.
Main Methods:
- Mercury vapor concentration was measured above four storage liquids: fresh fixer, used fixer, Merconvap, and water.
- Measurements were taken at various time points ranging from 10 minutes to 335 days.
- A mercury vapor measuring instrument was utilized, and data were analyzed using a Student-Newman-Keuls multiple comparison test (P = 0.05).
Main Results:
- Fresh fixer, used fixer, and Merconvap effectively suppressed mercury vaporization to below the detection limit (0.01 mg/m³).
- Water demonstrated significantly lower efficacy in suppressing mercury vaporization compared to the other tested liquids.
- A notable increase in mercury vapor concentration was observed over time with water storage.
Conclusions:
- Photographic fixer (both fresh and used) and Merconvap are highly effective in preventing mercury vapor release.
- Water is an inadequate storage medium for mercury-containing waste due to its limited vapor suppression.
- These findings underscore the importance of using appropriate chemical solutions for the safe management of mercury waste from photographic processes.