PRETREATMENT OF POLYOLEFIN BOTTLES WITH CHLOROFORM AND AQUA REGIA VAPOR TO PREVENT LOSSES FROM STORED TRACE MERCURY (II) SOLUTIONS

Pretreatment of polyolefin bottles by leaching the interior with CHCI3 followed by exposure to the vapors of aqua regia (CAR) Is superior to chemical preservatives in reducing Hg losses from 1 ppb Hg (II) solutions stored in polyolefin bottles. This treatment has been evaluated using 4 plastic compositions and 3 types of water samples chosen to represent a range of biological activity. Losses after 15 days storage are approximately 10%, independent of the composition of the container plastic or the characteristics of the water sample. Both steps of the CAR treatment are necessary for full effectiveness, suggesting that both additive removal and creation of a biocidal, oxidizing environment are important. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.