I am still working away on Castle Daguerre, and summer is the busiest season at my main job, so postings have been infrequent. I did send an email today to a company that makes activated carbon products, Carbon Resources – asking them about filtering mecury vapor from fume hood exhaust. In case any experienced readers would like to chime in on my questions I include the text of the message below.

Dear Carbon Resources Staff:

I am a artist preparing to create some images using the original photographic process invented in 1839. The daguerreotype process involves using several toxic chemicals including heated mercury.

Most practitioners of the art use a fume hood for safety during the process, but commonly exhaust the air to the atmosphere releasing mercury vapor to the environment. The amount is small, but given he toxicity of the substance I would like to do better.

I am trying to discover if there is an activated carbon product that is especially appropriate for capturing mercury from exhaust air. Your website makes it clear that your staff have the technical knowledge to answer the question.

Specifically I am trying to find out:

1) Which form of activated carbon is best for this use?
2) What type and size of filter cartridge or support matrix would work for the high volume exhaust air stream from a fume hood?
3) How I would determine when the cartridge needed to be changed?

It appears that your normal customers are large industrial concerns, and I don’t fit this profile. I am hoping that perhaps one of your staff would take an interest in supporting an historic art process, and give me some advice or point me to additional resources.

Whatever your reply, thank you for your time.

Andy Stockton
www.thedaguerreotypist.com

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