Thanks Rob. The latter website has some good information on the science. Kent On 4/29/2005 1:01 PM, ILPI wrote: > The crystals (if they are really present, of course) can can detonate > all by themselves. Inside a metal can with a relatively narrow > opening, this could produce some serious shrapnel. > > See here: http://home.cyberave.com/~rhr/ether.htm They might be good > folks to talk to about this. > > Additional pictures and information about peroxides is available > here: http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/peroxide.html > > Rob Toreki > >> Scenario: Ethyl ether in metal container that is over 10 years old. >> Peroxide content unknown. Container is empty (<3%) to the best of our >> knowledge. Cap is clear plastic with no visible signs of peroxides. >> Understand that peroxides can concentrate as the ether evaporates. >> >> Setting: High school chemical storage room. Lab pack team has been in >> to pack chemicals and left the ethyl ether behind because of its >> potential explosiveness. >> >> Questions: How dangerous is this empty can? Does it have to be treated >> as a hazardous waste? Our understanding is that the peroxide crystals >> themselves do not have considerable detonation force without the >> contents of the ether. The ether acts as the fuel for the explosion. >> Can the empty container go in the normal trash. >> >> Your thoughts and comments are appreciated. We have been struggling >> with this issue; how to deal with legacy empty ether containers. > > > -- > ===================================================== > Safety Emporium - Lab & Safety Supplies featuring brand names > you know and trust. Visit us at http://www.SafetyEmporium.com > esales**At_Symbol_Here**safetyemporium.com or toll-free: (866) 326-5412 > Fax: (859) 523-0606, 4905 Waynes Blvd, Lexington, KY 40513-1469 -- Kent A. Candee, CIH Environmental Health Division EMC Insurance Companies Ph: 515-362-7832 Cell: 515-321-5874 You can count on EMC’s Environmental Health Division. NOTICE: This message (including any attachments) is intended for a specific individual and may contain information that is either confidential or legally protected. If you believe that it has been sent to you in error, please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, then delete it. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Thank you. EMC071856
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