HEAVY METAL COMPOUNDS
antimony salts
arsenic compounds
barium compounds
beryllium compounds
bismuth compounds and bismuthates
cadmium compounds
chromium compounds including chromates and dichromates
cobalt compounds
copper compounds
lead compounds
manganese compounds
mercury compounds
molybdenum compounds
nickel compounds
selenium compounds
silver compounds
thallium compounds
tellurium compounds
tin compounds
uranium compounds
vanadium compounds
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
-
|
Not all heavy metal salts are toxic, but most are, i.e. arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury compounds are extremely hazardous.
They are toxic mainly by ingestion and by inhalation of dusts or fumes, and skin contact especially with chromates, which can cause severe dermatitis. It is important to use safe working practices to prevent student contact with heavy metal salts.
Some heavy metal salts are powerful oxidants and may also present a reactive hazard. Avoid or control contact of heavy metals with reducing agents. Collect solution wastes of heavy metals, and reduce volume by allowing solvent (usually water) to evaporate.
Solid wastes of heavy metals should be recycled if practicable. Insoluble heavy metal salts (such as barium sulfate) may be placed in garbage. Very often chemical disposal can be incorporated into student activity to demonstrate a chemical process.
For example, recrystallisation of copper sulfate or displacement of copper from solution using steel wool.ALSO SEE SEPARATE LISTING FOR EACH CHEMICAL.
|
