Metrohm 797 VA Computrace - Manual (Page 87)

3.4 Safety considerations concerning mercury
797 VA Computrace / Hardware-Manual 8.797.8001EN
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with special laboratory aids:
e.g. Mercurisorb-Roth™ from Roth, Karlsruhe/FRG; e.g. Mercury Spon-
ge™ and Resisorb™ from Baker, Phillipsburg, N.J./USA
• Empty reservoir of mercury trap regularly
The storage container of the 6.2406.000 mercury trap should be emptied regu-
larly and rinsed thoroughly several times. If the mercury trap is needed outside
the fume cupboard, a minimum safety distance of 50 cm between the head and
the mercury trap must be observed.
• Never leave mercury in open vessels
Mercury must never be left exposed to the air. The upper layer of water or sup-
porting electrolyte in no way suppresses nor reduces Hg evaporation [11, 12].
• Store mercury container in fume cupboard
The tightly closed mercury container as well as all parts that come into contact
with mercury must be stored in a fume cupboard, which is always switched on.
• Use gas wash bottles when siphoning off mercury under vacuum
If mercury is siphoned off under vacuum using a water jet pump, one or two
gas wash bottles must always be connected between the vacuum pump and
the suction tube to ensure trapping of the siphoned-off mercury.
• Ventilate laboratory areas well
Rooms where work with mercury is being carried out should be thoroughly ai-
red from time to time.
• Dispose of mercury properly
Mercury can be cleaned by distillation [13 – 16], but the apparatus is extensive
and the time needed considerable. For this reason, waste mercury is normally
collected in a closed container and then sent for disposal to the responsible au-
thorities in accordance with the national legal requirements