Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) - Sieve Sensorfor Removal of Mercury in Hospital Wastes

Healthcare facilities are under increasing pressure to eliminate mercury. The most common routes of exposure to mercury in the healthcare facility include inhalation of inorganic mercury vapour after a spill or accidental skin contact with mercury. Accidental spills of liquid mercury can increase the levels of mercury in the air or wastewater of a HCFs. Establishing protocols for proper cleanup of spills involving mercury is an on flow challenge in Healthcare Sector where Bio safety and Bioethics are first law to be followed for human safety. Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are synthetic receptors which have very beneficial properties in this regard for cleaning purposes as they are robust, low-cost, have a high specificity, and can even detect their target molecules in complex matrices. These polymers have affinity for the original molecule and have been used in applications such as chemical separations, catalysis, or molecular sensors. These are now finding high potential for removing mercury from the environment.