The disposal of chemicals

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M1 unit 2:-

The Disposal of Chemicals.

How is Mercury disposed of: -
Handle the mercury carefully. Wear rubber gloves and scoop it onto a sheet of paper or suck it up with an eyedropper. Place the mercury in a medicine vial or similar airtight container. The scoop, paper or eyedropper should also be bagged and disposed properly according to guidance provided by environmental officials or your local health department.

Why dispose of mercury, and what would happen if we didn’t: -

Otherwise it would contaminate the water, and from then onward goes down a very long chain of reactions and how it would be passed on, the fish in the sea would pick up the mercury in the water and most probably would poison the fish, and from there us human catch the fish to eat and if someone caught an infected fish and were to eat it they would become very ill and most probably die, especially if a pregnant woman ate an infected fish because usually the baby would come out deformed.

Elemental mercury exists as a silvery liquid and an odourless vapour at room temperature.
It is eliminated in urine, faeces, saliva, and sweat and by exhalation when it is taken in by the body.

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How is Hydrochloric acid disposed of: -
Small amounts of dilute hydrochloric acid can be flushed down a sink with a large quantity of water, unless local rules prohibit this. Larger amounts should be neutralised before disposal. Concentrated acid should not be flushed down a sink but should be neutralised first. Great care must be taken when doing this.

Why would you dispose of HCL: -
The reason you would dispose of this dangerous acid is because its highly dangerous to human skin as it is corrosive.

How is potassium iodide disposed of: -
Small amounts ...

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