"Penny wise, pound foolish"
To All:
     Zinc compounds generally have low toxicity, however,  it is well-known that freshly generated zinc oxide can be very hazardous. Thus, care should be taken in using any procedure to concentrate a solution of zinc iodide that involves high temperatures and has the potential for producing fresh "fumes" of zinc oxide. This would include the potential for untoward conditions, recall the incident of a fewweeks ago wthat resulted in a fire and potentially hazardous fumes. As I recall that procedure was being carried out in a fume hood with no one present. In some cases, it is better to appropriately dispose of materials and purchase new reagents. The ultimate cost may be lower than that associated with attempting to recover reagents.
    Roger

Roger O. McClellan, DVM, MMS, Dipl-Abt, Dipl-ABVT, Fellow-ATS
Advisor, Toxicology and Human Health Risk Analysis 
13701 Quaking Aspen Place NE 
Albuquerque, NM 87111 
Tel: 505-296-7083 
Fax: 505-296-9573 
E-mail: roger.o.mcclellan**At_Symbol_Here**att.net 


-------------- Original message from Kim Auletta : -------------- 

> I sent the question on to our Geo/chemist & this was his reply. Hope it 
> helps. 
> 
> Kim Auletta 
> Lab Safety Specialist 
> EH&S Z=6200 
> kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**notes.cc.sunysb.edu 
> 632-3032 
> 
> ----- Forwarded by Kim Auletta/Admin on 06/14/2007 07:42 AM ----- 
> 
> John Parise/CAS 
> 06/14/2007 07:24 AM 
> 
> To 
> Kim Auletta/Admin**At_Symbol_Here**SUNYSB 
> cc 
> 
> Subject 
> Re: Fw: [DCHAS-L] ZnI question 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Quick reply 
> 
> My guess is heating might lead to hydrolysis - formation of zinc 
> hydroxide and formation of hydroen iodide (ZnI2 + H2O -> Zn(OH)2 + 2HI 
> which then comes off? Acid would drive the reaction towards ZnI2 
> 
> Try adding acetic (or something else acid that does not react with 
> anything in the system and heating? 
> 
> Actually I just did a google search .... 
> 
> Try this 
> 
> http://academic.evergreen.edu/curricular/matterandmotion/labs%5CZnI.htm 
> 
> I knew I had done this before! About 35 years ago 
> 
> John 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> John B. Parise 
> Professor 
> Department of Geosciences 
> Department of Chemistry 
> State University of New York 
> NY 11794-2100, USA 
> +1-631-632-8196 - office (-8197, -1140, -8158 labs) 
> +1-631-632-8240 (-8140) FAX 
> EPO: John.parise**At_Symbol_Here**sunysb.edu 
> 
> Kim Auletta/Admin wrote on 06/14/2007 07:11:11 AM: 
> 
> > THought I'd bounce this email question to you - any thoughts on her 
> problem? 
> > 
> > Kim Auletta 
> > Lab Safety Specialist 
> > EH&S Z=6200 
> > kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**notes.cc.sunysb.edu 
> > 632-3032 
> 
> > ----- Forwarded by Kim Auletta/Admin on 06/14/2007 07:09 AM ----- 
> > 
> > Debbie Decker 
> > Sent by: DCHAS-L Discussion List 
> > 
> > 06/13/2007 09:14 PM 
> > 
> > Please respond to 
> > Debbie Decker 
> > 
> > To 
> > 
> > DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU 
> > 
> > cc 
> > 
> > Subject 
> > 
> > [DCHAS-L] ZnI question 
> > 
> > Greetings: 
> > 
> > Please excuse the cross-posting - I need to cast a wide net. I've 
> > received the following question from a researcher in the Geology 
> > department. 
> > 
> > "I am using Zinc Iodide as a heavy liquid in my current lab procedure. 
> > I would like to re-use it but I am having trouble recycling it, I 
> > dilute it during my procedure and I am having difficulty distilling it 
> > back down to the desired specific gravity. I have built simple 
> > distilling apparatus (heating mantle, boiling flask and graham 
> > condenser) but the vapor that comes off the diluted zinc iodide is 
> > brown/purple and then a metallic film accumulates on the interior of the 
> > condenser. So, it seems like I am distilling more than water. It 
> > produces this purple vapor even at temperatures well below boiling" 
> > 
> > I think she's subliming off the iodine that then plates out on the cool 
> > surfaces of the condenser. But I don't have any creative ideas that 
> > will help her re-use the ZnI solution. 
> > 
> > Thanks for your help, 
> > Debbie 
> > ----------------------- 
> > Debbie M. Decker, Campus Chemical Safety Officer 
> > Environmental Health and Safety 
> > University of California, Davis 
> > 1 Shields Ave. 
> > Davis, CA 95616 
> > (530)754-7964/(530)752-4527 (FAX) 
> > dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu 
> > Co-Conspirator to Make the World A 
> > Better Place -- Visit www.HeroicStories.com and join the conspiracy 

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