Protection and decontamination of construction materials exposed to mercury
Schober, E.; Pfeil, B.; Uhlig, B.
Zeitschrift für die Gesamte Hygiene und ihre Grenzgebiete 33(1): 23-26
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0049-8610 PMID: 3590869 Document Number: 288845
A method is described of how to determine the mercury content of solid matter samples with the help of the Hg-185 atomic absorption spectrometer. This method was used to measure the level of mercury concentration in samples of construction materials and to compare these value with previously determined concentration levels of room air in a building complex which had been exposed to mercury for decades. Methods are described of how to restore contaminated surfaces of structural components aimed at reducing the room air concentration to a value below the maximum workplace concentration. The effects of impregnation materials and additives for paints and coatings were experimentally tested. They proved to be successful. Sulphur and organic sulphur compounds are mainly used as additives.