4 ms·
Don't think there are any non-toxic forms of mercury or arsenic. There are forms that are less bioavailable, but that's equally true of nuclear waste.
by apsec112 10y ago
Don't think there are any non-toxic forms of mercury or arsenic. There are forms that are less bioavailable, but that's equally true of nuclear waste.
- refurb 10y agoA lot of metals can be converted into insoluble, inert minerals that have low-to-no toxicity. Mercury can be converted to mercury (II) sulfide which is insoluble in water and has no vapor pressure.[1] [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_sulfide https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_sulfide
- bronson 10y agoExcept when you heat it. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2755212/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2755212/ Also, cost must be a factor. Turning materials back into ore is extremely expensive.
- refurb 10y agoWell I guess nothing is truly non-toxic. If you heat water high enough it could create hydrogen and suffocate you.
- bronson 10y agoIt takes some serious equipment to heat water anywhere near that high. For cinnabar you just need fire. This is not an artificial distinction. If you still don't see it, maybe picture yourself standing near a burning warehouse full of water versus standing near a burning warehouse full of cinnabar?