Inspired by subjectivity
"In the meantime, someone (Matthew) work on making at-home mercury tests for food cheaper and easier."
Hmm.
It looks like the EPA standard method for measuring mercury is pretty complex and difficult:
http://www.caltestlabs.com/BasisMercuryAnalysis.php
Here's a slightly simpler version, but it still requires a lab, gas chromatograph, etc.
http://www.cazv.cz/attachments/CJFS_24_138-142.pdf
These guys claim to have a faster, easier way, but give few details:
http://www.arc.ab.ca/Index.aspx/ARC/517
Idea: Burn a sample in a flame or electric arc. Look at the flame with a light detector filtered to be sensitive only to the UV frequencies emitted by hot mercury atoms.
Challenges: This method requires high temperatures, must exclude ambient light, and would not be very precise. Cost for a minimal kit might be ~$100-$200, though a single kit could do hundreds of tests. Not ideal for home use.
I'd really like something more like pH paper. Easily manufactured, easy to use. Detects hydrogen ions at concentrations of 1 part per million. I need something that selects for mercury instead.
Maybe a biological enzyme. Those tend to be pretty selective. Do any animals or plants use mercury in their metabolism? Or have specialized molecules for getting rid of mercury in their system?
Any ideas?
Hmm.
It looks like the EPA standard method for measuring mercury is pretty complex and difficult:
http://www.caltestlabs.com/BasisMercuryAnalysis.php
Here's a slightly simpler version, but it still requires a lab, gas chromatograph, etc.
http://www.cazv.cz/attachments/CJFS_24_138-142.pdf
These guys claim to have a faster, easier way, but give few details:
http://www.arc.ab.ca/Index.aspx/ARC/517
Idea: Burn a sample in a flame or electric arc. Look at the flame with a light detector filtered to be sensitive only to the UV frequencies emitted by hot mercury atoms.
Challenges: This method requires high temperatures, must exclude ambient light, and would not be very precise. Cost for a minimal kit might be ~$100-$200, though a single kit could do hundreds of tests. Not ideal for home use.
I'd really like something more like pH paper. Easily manufactured, easy to use. Detects hydrogen ions at concentrations of 1 part per million. I need something that selects for mercury instead.
Maybe a biological enzyme. Those tend to be pretty selective. Do any animals or plants use mercury in their metabolism? Or have specialized molecules for getting rid of mercury in their system?
Any ideas?