LEGAL NEW SOLID REAGENTS
Due to an increase in use of illegal explosives European Union has passed the regulation nr 2019/1148 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors, making it illegal for members of the general public to purchase or own most products containing more than 15% of sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is the main ingredient of most common reagent tests: Marquis, Mecke, Mandelin, Liebermann, Froehde and Hofmann, therefore it is now a criminal offence in the EU to buy and use without a license these reagents in their standard liquid formula.
Luckily there is a solution – new solid (crystal) reagents licensed from reagent-tests.uk. Solid reagents use the same chemistry as liquids, react with the same colors, but are bound to an inert crystaline substance. Crystal reagents have multiple advantages over liquids:
- Shelf life extended beyond 2 years
- Easier to apply the desired amount
- No spill risk, greatly increased safety
- No need to patiently wait for each drop from a bottle
- Compliant with European and British regulations on corrosive chemicals
How to test using crystal reagents:
- Aside from applying the crystals, all classic reagent testing instructions remain unchanged (see booklet)
- Shake a bottle hard before use, then tap it firmly against a soft flat surface to ensure no crystals are stuck in the lid. After you open a bottle, do the same with the cap to get rid of any crystals stuck in the lid. Beware of “crunchy lid syndrome” to ensure bottle cap seal remains intact.
- Pour out or scoop out a small pile of crystals onto small sample, just enough to cover your sample.
- You can mix or flatten the crystals with sample to ensure faster reaction, but that’s not required.
- If you use the included spatula or toothpicks as a scoop or to mix crystals, make sure to avoid contamination. Between changing reagents wipe your tool with a paper tissue if using to mix crystals with sample, or wash it with soap and water and dry well if using to scoop out crystals out of a bottle.
How-to videos are available on our YouTube channel.
Meanwhile in case of any questions or concerns please contact us at testing@protestkit.eu.
We have upgraded Ehrlich, Hofmann, Froehde, Marquis, Mecke and Liebermann formulas and replaced the now illegal liquid reagents with fully legal solids. SDS safety sheets available at request.
