What solution do you use as a mercury decontaminant?

HgX, or mercuric chloride, is recognized as an effective decontaminant for mercury spills due to its specific action against mercury compounds. When mercury is accidentally released into the environment, it can pose significant health risks. Using a solution like HgX helps in binding mercury and forming stable compounds, thus reducing the bioavailability of the toxic element and facilitating its safe removal.

In contrast, the other options, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl), may not effectively neutralize or bind mercury. While hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a strong oxidizer that can be used for some decontamination tasks, it is not specifically suited for mercury contamination. Therefore, HgX stands out as the preferred choice because it is specifically formulated for dealing with mercury.