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What are the hazards of mercury used in our products we use and the food we consume and how to use a
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Posted On :
Nov-19-2011
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Article Word Count :
429
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The element known as mercury (Hg) has been linked to creating environmental damage as well causing harm to the population. The element is highly toxic if ingested or inhaled in the dust form, destroying the immune system and acting as a nerve toxin affecting the ones sight, hearing, motor skills, and speech. Mercury poisoning can occur from exposure to water soluble forms of mercury either through the inhalation of the vapors or through eating seafood which have been contaminated with mercury in
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The element known as mercury (Hg) has been linked to creating environmental damage as well causing harm to the population. The element is highly toxic if ingested or inhaled in the dust form, destroying the immune system and acting as a nerve toxin affecting the ones sight, hearing, motor skills, and speech. Mercury poisoning can occur from exposure to water soluble forms of mercury either through the inhalation of the vapors or through eating seafood which have been contaminated with mercury in lakes, rivers, and our oceans.
Mercury can be found in household items such as thermometers, and some electrical switches although they are being phased out for alternative materials can still be present in many homes. Gaseous mercury can be found in lighting fixtures and neon signs. In the recent past industry standards have tightened control over mercury use and production methods. The Clean Air Act of 1990 placed mercury on the list of toxic pollutants which need to be controlled to the fullest extent. Industries have since made progress in the elimination of unnecessary mercury use in products and are turning to less toxic albeit more expensive material such as Galinstan alloy.
Certain fish and shellfish have a natural tendency to concentrate substantial levels mercury in their systems which can be highly toxic if digested in large amounts. An overall rise in seafood consumption throughout the world has meant that mercury poisoning has increased at a higher rate than ever before. Laboratory technicians have taken a recent concern to monitor the mercury levels through mercury analysis.
Those in the industries of food and beverage find a mercury analyzer a crucial step in the manufacturing and production of these products. Companies use these instruments to assure the public that the food and water they are consuming is in its purist form and free of mercury. Industry professional and chemistry professors alike use the Buck Scientific Model 410 Hg mercury analyzer, able to handle a variety of samples.
A full description of how the instrument operates visits our website, for a brochure and manual. A brief outline of how the machine works is as follows, the mercury is first reduced to the elemental state using the procedure outlined in EPA method 245.1. Air is then bubbled through the sample, speeding the mercury vapor to the absorption cell. The 253.7nm mercury line emitted by the lamp is absorbed by the vapor in the cell in proportion to the mercury concentration. The result is transmitted to the Digital readout which can be read directly in concentration of mercury.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_What are the hazards of mercury used in our products we use and the food we consume and how to use a_106693.aspx
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For more information visit mercury analyzer
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Keywords :
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Category :
Reference and Education
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Science
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