How to differentiate between a mercury coated mirror and silver coated mirror?

Question:

There are some old mirrors which are coated using mercury rather than silver at the back. Of course, mercuy coating is going to pose some serious health hazard. How can we tell? Are mirrors made within these few decades using silver rather than mercury?

Answers:
Glass mirrors date from the Middle Ages. They were made in large quantities in Venice from the 16th cent., the back being covered with a thin coating of tin mixed with mercury; after 1840 a thin coating of silver was generally substituted. More recently, aluminum was introduced as the reflecting material because it is almost as efficient as silver but is more resistant to oxidation.

Unless you have mirror made prior to 1840, you have nothing to worry about mercury poisoing!

CC

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How to differentiate between a mercury coated mirror and silver coated mirror?

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