How to Test for Zinc in White Metal

Zinc is a metal which is commonly found in commercial manufacturing industry products. During production, zinc can be released into the environment. This is mainly caused by mining and metal processing activities. Although the intake of zinc is natural and unavoidable, intake of large amounts of zinc due to contamination can cause adverse effects to the health of individuals. Testing everyday white metal products for zinc can alert individuals to this contamination so that appropriate action can be taken.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Safety goggles
• Hydrochloric acid

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Instructions

• 1

  Put on safety goggles and rubber gloves.

• 2

  Pour the hydrochloric acid into a small bowl or plate, depending on the size of white metal you are testing.

• 3

  Place the white metal item into the bowl or plate and submerge all of the metal. If the metal item contains zinc, it will appear to bubble.