Separation of Methylmercury from Human Hair by Solvent Extraction
- 1 November 1994
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry
- Vol. 57 (2) , 91-98
- https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319408027415
Abstract
An improved method of separation of methylmercury from inorganic mercury in hair has been developed. The method is based on alkaline dissolution of human hair and on extraction of methylmercury into benzene from an acidic solution of potassium iodide. Radiotracer experiments were used in the development and testing of the method. First a suitable method for preparation of spiked hair with radioactive or stable inorganic mercury and methylmercury was given. Human hair samples spiked with radioactively labelled inorganic mercury and methylmercury were then used for testing of the various possibilities of hair dissolution without changing the chemical form of the mercury and for finding optimal conditions for the solvent extraction separation of both mercury species.Keywords
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