Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Where is Mercury Found in Our Daily Lives?

As we are all aware of by now, mercury vapor is found in fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps. However, mercury compounds are also used in many other ways. Calomel (mercurous chloride, Hg2Cl2) is a standard in electrochemical measurements and in medicine as a purgative. Mercuric chloride (corrosive sublimate, HgCl2) is an insecticide, a rat poison, and a disinfectant. Mercuric oxide is used in skin ointments. Mercuric sulfate is a catalyst in organic chemistry. Vermilion, a red pigment, is mercuric sulfide; another crystalline form of the sulfide (also used as a pigment) is black. Mercury fulminate, Hg(CNO)2, is a detonator. Mercury forms many organic compounds. Mercurochrome (in 2% aqueous solution) is used in medicine as a topical antiseptic. Whatever the usage, any products that can emit dangerous levels of mercury should be stored and transported in a packaging configuration proven to contain mercury vapor. Currently, only one package design, which includes a vapor resistant and zip seal bag, has proven effective in containing mercury vapor.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

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