I've recently encountered a problem when using an analytical (0.1 mg accuracy) scale to determine the mass of a sample of ferrocene powder. The reading in the balance seems to drift either upwards or downwards when I drop some of the powder in an erlenmeyer flask. The reading stabilizes when I add water to form a solution.
I've heard that static electricity might cause this kinds of problems when measuring powders so I suspect this is the case here, because the problem only appears when I add the ferrocene powder. I've try reaserching some ways to get rid of the problem, a static gun seems to work in some cases (no idea if it would work with a powder though) and I've heard that air ionisers also work, but don't have access to either of these.
Although this is the first time I've encountered this situation, I've heard its pretty common, so what do people usually do to get rid of the problem in a cheap manner? Is there an easy solution?
I'm using gloves to operate the scale, which I've been told to do in order to keep the flasks clean of oil from my fingers. Can the gloves be worsening the problem? What can I do about that?