(67) Development of an X-ray fluorescence method for the detection of mercury vapor

     The release of mercury vapor from diverse sources in museum/archival contexts including mercury containing mineralogy specimens (cinnabar), lacquer ware and paintings (vermillion) and herbarium specimens (mercuric... [ view full abstract ]

     The release of mercury vapor from diverse sources in museum/archival contexts including mercury containing mineralogy specimens (cinnabar), lacquer ware and paintings (vermillion) and herbarium specimens (mercuric chloride). Most tests for this vapor either rely on dedicated and costly analyzers or semi-quantitative colorimetric indicators. Access to instrumentation such as a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, which should be able to detect and quantify mercury vapor collected on a suitable sorbent, is increasingly common in a museum/archival context. Consequently, we are currently attempting to develop a simple and reliable method based on X-ray fluorescence that will provide quantitative, rapid, and cost-effective detection of mercury vapor associated with cultural artifacts that utilize mercury-containing pigments or preservative materials.