How to clean up mercury cells?

Higher ups

D
Higher ups

  • 2
  • 0
  • 38
Approx. point-75

D
Approx. point-75

  • 4
  • 0
  • 41
Coal Harbour

H
Coal Harbour

  • 5
  • 2
  • 83
Aglow

D
Aglow

  • 0
  • 0
  • 63
Gilding the Lily Pads

H
Gilding the Lily Pads

  • 5
  • 2
  • 78

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
200,579
Messages
2,810,407
Members
100,306
Latest member
SDibke
Recent bookmarks
1

Paul Verizzo

Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
1,645
Location
Round Rock, TX
Format
35mm
This is what happened on my Leicaflex. The original mercury battery had leaked and corroded inside the battery compartment, locking the retainer to the body. I finally had to chisel a slot into the battery retainer and use a big screwdriver on it.

Once inside, the compartment was in surprisingly good shape. Even the bakelite (or plastic) parts looked good after a clean up. But the second I touched the battery prong, it broke off and dropped into the body somewhere. The battery juice had eaten it in half at the bend.

It's probably still in there. I'm handy w/ tools, but know better than to open up a Leicaflex, a camera so complicated that it almost led Leica into bankruptcy. I ended up selling it as a meterless camera, and it worked just as well that way. It also still weighed as much, so it's not missed.

How sad!
 

ic-racer

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
16,664
Location
USA
Format
Multi Format
The problem with elemental liquid mercury is that it is OK to eat it and it won't absorb through your hands or skin, but you can't breath it's vapor. So hold your breath.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,623
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
The problem with elemental liquid mercury is that it is OK to eat it and it won't absorb through your hands or skin, but you can't breath it's vapor. So hold your breath.

So hold ones nose when one swallows liquid mercury?
 

Paul Verizzo

Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
1,645
Location
Round Rock, TX
Format
35mm
The problem with elemental liquid mercury is that it is OK to eat it and it won't absorb through your hands or skin, but you can't breath it's vapor. So hold your breath.

So how is it we ingest mercury via food?

I don't know if the hatter's who used mercury ("mad as a hatter,") breathed vapors or through absorption.
 

BAC1967

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 30, 2014
Messages
1,453
Location
Bothell, WA
Format
Medium Format
So how is it we ingest mercury via food?

I don't know if the hatter's who used mercury ("mad as a hatter,") breathed vapors or through absorption.

Google “Mercury Bioavailability”, there are different forms of mercury, some more bioavailable than others.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom