Mercury
Identification
Scope: Processes for identifying the presence of
mercury in any liquid, including urine.
1. Collect a fairly large amount of the suspect liquid. Pour in a pie dish, glass or
ceramic only. Allow to evaporate slowly. dont force it. Covering with an open weave
material will stop contamination from airborne dust or other debris. When the liquid gets
a little syrupy put ¾" of liquid in a long test tube. Holding the tube at a shallow
angle slowly heat the end holding the liquid and bring to a light boil. If there is any
mercury in the sample it will "condense" approximately three-quarters of the way
up the tube on the top. Mercury will appear as tiny gray globules that will form-up with
some assistance from a rubber band or glass tube.
Do not touch the mercury without skin protection
The fumes coming from this test MUST be considered extremely hazardous. This test MUST be done
under a fume hood or in a well-ventilated area |