The effect of mercuric chloride treatment as biocide for herbaria on the indoor air quality

Heritage Science

John Havermans²  René Dekker¹  Ron Sportel³ 

[1] Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

[2] TNO Applied Environmental Chemistry, Utrecht, The Netherlands

[3] Coldenhoven Papier, Eerbeek, The Netherlands

关键词: Occupational health;    Indoor air quality;    Mercury emission;    Herbarium;   

Others  :  1234994
DOI  :  10.1186/s40494-015-0068-8

 received in 2015-06-18, accepted in 2015-12-04,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

One of the most previous conservation treatments for plant specimen in herbarium collections was mercuric chloride (HgCl ₂ ). However, due time HgCl ₂  may decompose and it may cause (metallic) mercury (Hg) emission. Hg vapour in indoor air should be avoided as mercury poisoning can already occur at levels of 6 μg/m ³ . Both field and laboratory studies were carried out while the Hg concentration was analysed in the air. Field studied included analysis of the indoor air in the repository and analysis of the concentration inside a herbarium box. Subsequently lab experiments were carried out on measuring the Hg emission using a small scale emission chamber. The lab studies proved that the emission of Hg from collections is according to the theories of Hoetjer–Berger–Fuji and therefore it can be seen as a continuous emission. Field studies concluded that workers and visitors may be subjected to a high mercury concentration in the repositories. Opening a herbarium box may even cause a peak concentration of over 80 μg/m ³ . The highest concentration observed in the repositories was 13 μg/m ³ . Although this value is lower than the official Dutch threshold levels of 20 μg/m ³(time weight average over 8 h for work places), this concentration has to be considered as high. Based on the lab studies, it can be concluded that by adjusting the ventilation rate in work rooms and repositories, the mercury concentration indoor can be lowered drastically and improve the indoor air quality. However care should to be taken when opening herbarium boxes, due to possible high mercury emission.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Havermans et al.

【 图 表 】

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